Gov. J.B Pritzker said Illinois will need to show a steady decline in state COVID-19 transmissions before he considers lifting the statewide indoor mask mandate he revived in August. When asked what metrics were needed for Pritzker to rescind his executive order, the governor pointed to high hospitalization rates and new case numbers relative to metrics when Illinois “fully […]
mask mandate
Judge reinstates status of two schools punished by ISBE for not following mask mandate
A judge in Effingham County has issued a temporary restraining order against the Illinois State Board of Education and reinstated the recognition status of two public schools that aren’t following the governor’s COVID-19 mask mandate. The case was brought by attorney Thomas DeVore on behalf of Red Hill, Woden-Herrick and Beecher City school districts. While […]
Pritzker says he’s waiting for further decline in COVID-19 transmission before lifting indoor mask mandate
Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Monday he’s looking for clear signs that coronavirus transmission is on the decline in Illinois before he’ll consider lifting the indoor mask mandate he reinstated in late August amid a surge driven by the virus’ highly contagious delta variant. “We’re watching to make sure that we’re on a good downward trajectory,” Pritzker said […]
Judge says masks can’t be required without official quarantine order
Three children in Effingham County can’t be forced to wear masks without an official quarantine order from the county health department, a judge ruled Wednesday. Later in the day, a different judge enjoined an entire school district from requiring masks without a court order. The attorney who brought the cases anticipates more such cases across […]
Lawmakers question enforcement of school mask mandates
Ask state education board to adopt formal rules on enforcement actions By PETER HANCOCKCapitol News Illinoisphancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Expressing concern that the Illinois State Board of Education might have overstepped its bounds by threatening to withhold funding from school districts that do not enforce its mask mandate, a legislative panel on Tuesday urged the agency […]
Does HB 4135 signal that ISBE doesn’t have authority to punish schools for defying state mask mandate?
A new bill would give the Illinois State Board of Education the authority to issue, withhold and revoke state recognition of schools who fail to comply with COVID-19 health regulations. Notably, the bill has not yet been introduced to a committee, meaning beyond being drafted and introduced, there has been no legislative activity on the measure. The […]
Opponents of government mandates seek local control
QUINCY — People are sick and tired of being sick and tired. But does the COVID-19 virus care about that? As the State of Illinois re-tightens its COVID protocols, a packed house at Quincy’s Holiday Inn heard people wanting local control back in government and a lawyer who has traveled statewide attempting to block governments […]
Attorney for three families files motion for temporary restraining order, preliminary injunction against Quincy School District
QUINCY — Motions for a temporary restraining order and a preliminary injunction against the Quincy School District and superintendent Roy Webb were filed at the Adams County Courthouse late Monday afternoon by an attorney representing three Quincy families. The motions were filed by Thomas DeVore, a Sorento, Ill., attorney with Silver Lake Group, Ltd., in […]
Education, not arrests, to be focus when Quincy Police Department receives mask complaints
QUINCY — You won’t be taken away in handcuffs if you choose to defy Gov. JB Pritzker’s order to wear a mask indoors. A mask mandate inside buildings begins Monday across Illinois. Quincy Police Chief Rob Copley said Friday education will the focus of his staff when complaints are lodged by the public about masks […]
Tracy: Pritzker continues his unilateral rule
SPRINGFIELD – State. Sen. Jil Tracy (R-Quincy) said Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker is “going it alone” with his pandemic decision-making as he announces more mask and vaccine mandates in light of rising COVID numbers in the state. Tracy wrote on her Facebook page the changes to Illinois’ COVID-19 mitigation plan are just the latest in […]
