Rock Island Today

United Township High School District 30 has made the switch to mask-optional status after a recent appellate court ruling found Gov. J.B. Pritzker's mandate to be unconstitutional.

“Late last night, an Illinois appellate court made a ruling that allows for broader flexibility for masking in schools,” Superintendent Dr. Jay Morrow said in a letter sent to parents. “As such, beginning today, Friday, February 18, 2022, masks are strongly encouraged, but not required on school grounds.”

Morrow stressed masks will still be required on school buses, as mandated by federal law, and highlighted “a mask requirement could be re-implemented at any time if circumstances change.”

In issuing her ruling that deemed the governor’s emergency orders “null and void,” Sangamon County Circuit Judge Raylene Grischow asserted Illinois law designates IDPH the “supreme authority” in matters of quarantine and isolation, not the governor. She added IDPH is mandated to adhere to standards outlined under the Illinois Department of Public Health Act, including where it pertains to due process requirements.

With the governor having already moved to appeal the ruling, Senate Minority Leader Dan McConchie (R-Hawthorn Woods) argues the fact that he is now easing the mask mandate on nearly everyone but students proves his motivations are more about maintaining power.

Earlier this month, Pritzker announced he plans to lift the general statewide indoor mask mandate on Feb. 28.

“Pritzker is failing to accept defeat as his ego and desire for power continue to lead him through his decision-making process,” McConchie said. “It’s clear that the Governor can’t stand the thought of loosening his grip on ruling unilaterally through the pandemic, thus he is willing to go to every extent possible to maintain that power.”

Since Grischow’s ruling has taken hold, more than 550 Illinois school districts have gone “fully mask optional” as litigation on the issue remains outstanding. The judge has also already denied motions in separate cases for there to be class status, meaning the temporary restraining order she issued would only impact the plaintiffs and the school districts that are part of the lawsuit.

Grischow has also recently ordered Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez to appear before the court to face a contempt of court complaint.

"It is ordered that Mr. Pedro Martinez, as agent for the City of Chicago School District #299, and the Board of Education of City of Chicago School District #299, shall personally appear before this court and show cause as to why the defendants should not be held in contempt for failure to abide by and comply with this Court's prior order of February 04, 2022," Grischow’s Feb. 14 order reads.

Attorney Tom DeVore, who has filed suit on behalf of parents against at least 145 school districts, has threatened to sue CPS for not obeying a restraining order preventing the district from treating students who unmask differently from those who continue to mask. CPS is the country’s third-largest district with more than 347,000 students.

Parents at Hinsdale Central High told the DuPage Policy Journal on the day following the ruling video captured school officials isolating students who refused to wear masks in the school auditorium.

DeVore has vowed to start pursuing criminal complaints for contempt of court against school districts who abuse the rights of plaintiffs in the suit.

“If I can confirm that the Hinsdale School District or any school district is isolating children that are plaintiffs in this case, and I know that to be true, I'm going to ask the judge, 'Put somebody in the county jail' as soon as I have the first available opportunity,” he said. “That's what I'm going to try to do because they cannot do that.”