First Lawsuit Filed Over Pritzker's School Mask Mandate The high school parents challenging Illinois Gov. Sangamon County Circuit Court Judge Raylene Grischow heard oral arguments in the case earlier this month prior to granting the temporary restraining order. However, the district explained there are students who have exceptions as they are included in the lawsuit in which the TRO was issued. More than two dozen Illinois school districts are on probation after flouting the statewide mask requirements for staff and students inside schools. As one of the districts named in the lawsuit that resulted in the temporary restraining order, administrators said removing the mask mandate for their schools was a legal decision. Parents from 145 Illinois school districts filed a class-action lawsuit Wednesday against their respective districts, Gov. Illinois school mask mandate ends after appellate court ruling "Why are you continuing to enforce a mandate that is null and void?" HIRING! Illinois school mask mandate temporarily blocked by courts Parents from eight Peoria-area school districts are participating in a lawsuit aimed at abolishing mask requirements in schools. -Schaumburg District 54: Masks not require, - St. Charles CUSD 303: Masks suggested but not required, -Orland School District 135: Masks not required, -Wheaton School District 200: Masks recommended but not required, -Plainfield District 202: Masks recommended but not required, -Lisle District 202- Continuing mask mandate, will make final decision after survey of parents, -Algonquin District 300- Open Tuesday, continuing mask mandate, The Archdiocese of Chicago sent a letter to parents and students Saturday that said they are "closely monitoring the case.". "Because future court rulings may go back and forth, and because changing our policies back and forth would create confusion and disruption in our schools, we will continue the current mask policy for now," Archdiocese officials said. It made sense to consolidate all of them, he said, except for two lawsuits outside of Central Illinois. Illinois appeals court's order on school mask, vaccine mandates Sangamon County Circuit Court Judge Raylene Grischow heard oral arguments in the case earlier this month prior to granting the temporary restraining order. A spokeswoman for Gov. Recently, the State provided 350,000 rapid tests to Chicago Public Schools to facilitate a return to in person learning.To increase access to the lifesaving COVID-19 vaccination, the State has held 1,767 on-site vaccination clinics in schools and day camps with an additional 470 clinics already scheduled. "Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Pritzker administration has implemented mitigations and programming to protect the health and safety of students, teachers, and staff in schools. You have all shown your true colors. It's a big change for students and parents at Robert Frost Junior High School in Schaumburg. [Ruling on Illinois school mask mandate throws districts into chaos]There has been confusion about school mask and quarantine requirements since Sangamon County Circuit Judge Raylene Grischow issued the temporary restraining order Friday because several hundred Illinois school districts were not named in the litigation. Illinois parents sue Pritzker over school mask mandate The lawsuit contended that IDPH and ISBE are not lawful authoritieson which school districts can base mask and exclusion policies. Cox said he didn't seeany problems in schools after the TRO basically made mask wearing unenforceable. Sangamon County Circuit Court Judge Raylene Grischow issued the order Friday afternoon in a lawsuit brought by hundreds of parents in more than 145 school districts who claim the mask order. TheFourth District Appellate Courtis one of five districts of theIllinois Appellate Court. Context: The protest unfolds as a Sangamon County circuit court judge prepares to rule on a lawsuit against 146 Illinois school districts mostly downstate but including CPS that challenges the mandate. SEE ALSO | Restaurant vaccine mandate, indoor mask rules could end 'soon' if COVID cases stay in free fall. See also: Assistant school superintendent from Indiana lands top position with Ball-Chatham district. According to the ruling, collectively-bargained agreements remain enforceable, like the one between CPS and the Chicago Teachers Union. Those who are exempt dont have to wear masks. Also going "mask optional" are large suburban public school districts across the area, including those in Schaumburg, Elmhurst, Arlington Heights, Barrington and Wheaton, where Shannon Limjuco has two elementary school grade children. But a just-filed lawsuit could void that statewide executive order. On Monday, Rochester's board of education met at a special meeting to pass a layered mitigation plan. Complaint filed . "There is no rhyme or reason to have it, if people can have masks optional, that is the best decision for everyone," said Natalie Merchant, anti-mask parent. (AS TO ALL PLAINTIFFS, IDPH AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS) 11. mopeyjoe 1 yr. ago. Some districts are put in a different situation due to collective bargaining agreements. Illinois schools from requiring people to wear face masks in classes and excluding students and staff from school buildings if they've had close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. The case was filed in Macoupin County by attorney Thomas DeVore seeks declaratory judgment and injunctions against the schools, saying its unlawful to exclude students from school for allegedly being in close contact with a COVID-19 case without the consent of the parent or a court order that includes due process. "More than 700 Illinois parents brought legal action on behalf of their children, carrying out their parental duty to protect their children, and, indeed, all children of this State, from further transgressions by the executive branch of government," part of the statement read. The three-judge panel wrotethat the expiration of the emergency rules renderedtheappeal "moot.". (The Center Square) - The case with more than 700 parents suing more than 140 school districts over mask and exclusion policies implemented on school children continues. ", Abudayyeh said the governor "was encouraged that the court made it clear that school districts can continue to keep their own mitigations in place.". The class action lawsuit against 140 school districts. Grischow's temporary restraining order blocks the nearly 170 school districts named in DeVore's lawsuits from enforcing mask requirements and exclusion rules for students and staff as well as. A Sangamon County judge issued the order after 145 school districts, including Rockridge, were named in a lawsuit in October 2021. That hearing is set for Nov. 5. It's something small that's working.". In September, a judge there ordered a preliminary injunction in a case that has not gone to trial yet. Pritzker later responded to the decision; asking the Attorney General's Office to grant an immediate appeal. Grischow's temporary restraining order blocks the nearly 170 school districts named in DeVore's lawsuits from enforcing mask requirements and exclusion rules for students and . The school district appealed, and the Fifth District Appellate Court said the restraining order had to be vacated because the lawsuit didnt name Governor J.B. Pritzer, the Illinois State Board of Education and the Illinois Department of Public Health as defendants, in addition to the school district. J.B. Pritzker's emergency rules for COVID-19 mitigations in schools "null and void,", New Ranking Names Most Expensive Cities In Illinois and These Chicago Suburbs Top the List, Chicago Suburb Lands on List of Happiest Places to Live,' Another Midwest City Makes Top 10, Chicago-Area Counties Under Winter Storm Advisories and Warnings, Stomach Bug Cases Surging, Sending People to Emergency Rooms in Chicago Area. TAYLOR RIDGE, Ill. Mask requirements, quarantine, COVID-19 vaccination mandates, and testing rules are temporarily blocked for Illinois schools following a judge's ruling on Feb 4. What exactly happened with the ruling? Elgin Area School District U46 is standing by its requirement, explaining its Board of Education approved a resolution in August of last year supporting that the district follows recommendations issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as well as local health agencies. District 181 schools went to remote learning Monday while administrators figure out how to interpret the ruling; the district is a party in the case. "I'm not sure who you represent but it is not us," said another parent. In Schaumburg's District 54, masks in school are now optional. Oswego Community Unit School District 308 said it was "consulting with our district attorneys to further understand the impact of the decision for our students and staff.". The judge's decision covers districts across the state but not Chicago Public Schools. One of the cases DeVore is representing parents in actually sparked this newest lawsuit and the largest complaint filed yet. The administration is working with (Attorney General Kwame Raoul)to request an expedited review of this decision from the (Illinois) Supreme Court. If such overreach is allowed to stand, the separation of powers will have been reduced to ashes and the executive will be allowed to disregard the legislature and create law, rules and regulations at his or her pleasure, the suit said. The school district appealed, and the Fifth District Appellate Court said the restraining order had, Illinois school mask mandate temporarily blocked by courts, Illinois schools temporarily blocked from enforcing mask mandates and vaccinationsA temporary restraining order issued Friday by Sangamon County Circuit Court Judge RayleneGrischow has reducedschools ability to require masks and vaccinations.The orderwas the result of severallawsuits broughtby Greenville attorney Thomas DeVore on behalf of several hundred parents and teachers from around the state. Car dealership workers kidnapped, tortured in armed robbery: police, Woman buys new tires that turn out to be 9 years old. I know there was a lot of discussion going on outside of the school walls. JB Pritzkers mandate requiring all students, faculty and staff at Illinois schools wear masks in the face of the coronavirus more contagious Delta variant spreading across the state. I mean obviously I'm still gonna wear it because I haven't gotten my booster yet, but I guess I'll just have to see," she said. Gov. Some are comfortable with the switch to a mask optional policy, while others are not. Since the TRO was issued, most local and area school districts, including Springfield District 186, Ball-Chatham and Rochester, have "encouraged" or recommended wearing of masks. Circuit Judge Raylene Grischow heard oral arguments last week in a class action . JBPritzker,Illinois State Board of Education superintendent Carmen Ayala and Dr. Ngozi Ezike, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, as defendants.A hearing before Seventh Circuit Judge April Troemper is set for 1:30 p.m. Nov. 5 in Carlinville.COVID vaccine:Hundreds of Peoria teachers, staff havent taken COVID vaccine, district saysThe superintendent of District 122 in Metamora said they were aware of the lawsuit, but not in any official capacity.We have zero documentation other than what weve found online,, Illinois school mask mandate ruling forces districts to decide , Illinois school mask mandate ruling forces districts to decide whether or not to make masks optionalSCHAUMBURG, Ill. (WLS) An Illinois judges ruling has forced many schools Monday to decide whether to continue with a mask mandate or to make them optional, and emotions across the state are running high.Some school districts kept their mask rules in place, while others made them optional.But emotions boiled over a meeting in Naperville Monday night.Why are you continuing to enforce a mandate that is null and void? ranted one parent. pencils, books and now a new addition to the back-to-school shopping list: a mask. After a downstate judge ruled against Pritzker's school mask mandate, suburban parents lashed out at school boards who chose to continue to require masks in schools. Masks optional at each Illinois school district's discretion; CPS will Parents filed suit against more than 140 school districts, Gov. Other symptoms of anemia that she, Why is it so warm in November, Why is december so warm 2022, Why is it so Warm on Christmas, Aaron spent most of his 23-year career with the Braves nine of which in Atlanta and 12 with the, list of schools in illinois mask lawsuit in 2023, why is my airpod case flashing orange in 2023, why is my refund still being processed in 2023, why do vaccines make your arm sore in 2023, why did kenidi withdrawal from american idol in 2023, why did ken jeong leave masked singer in 2023. Parents lash out at Naperville school board meeting after district decides to keep requiring masks. Others, however, are waiting for clarification before proceeding. One of the cases DeVore is representing parents in actually sparked this newest lawsuit and the largest complaint filed yet. A Sangamon County judge has ruled. While it has been a tumultuous past few weeks for schools, Illinois Education Association president Kathi Griffin, in a statement Friday, said she at least appreciated the clarity the decision brought forth. NPR Illinois | 91.9 UIS | Pritzker had harsh wordsfor the judge's decision and quickly urged the state's attorney general's office to appeal, suggesting the ruling could spark another surge in the virus. READ: Judge Raylene Grischows full ruling here. Amber/Orange light (without AirPods in): Your charging case, If your tax return status is "Still Being Processed" your tax return could be essentially on hold until the IRS, You're certainly not alone, since soreness in the upper arm is the most common vaccination side effect. Masks will continue to be required at the district except for the 11 students named as plaintiffs in the lawsuit, the district's school board said in a letter to families Sunday that was provided to the Northwest Herald separately by two different parents. As we have from the beginning of the pandemic, the administration will keep working to ensure every Illinoisan has the tools needed to keep themselves and their loved ones safe., Download the WQAD News 8 App Subscribe toourdaily newsletter Subscribeto ourYouTubechannel. However, the more contagious Delta variant currently spreading has proven to infect children at higher rates that previous strains of COVID, and children with COVID have ended up hospitalized more frequently in recent weeks than at any time since the outbreak began. She said her kids will continue wearing their masks.