Lake County Gazette

State Sen. Craig Wilcox (R-McHenry) recently weighed in on a Judge's ruling that will – at least temporarily – end COVID-19 mandates in Illinois schools. 

Sangamon County Judge Raylene Grischow issued a 29-page ruling in which she said that schools not named in the lawsuit could govern themselves accordingly. The temporary restraining order means the named school districts cannot require students to wear masks, and districts cannot require teachers and staff to be tested or vaccinated to work.

"For two years now, we’ve had a Governor who insists on ruling through Executive Orders and Administrative Rules," Wilcox wrote on his website. "In his effort to force his worldview on the residents of Illinois, he has done everything in his power to bypass any semblance of due process. Enough is enough. Illinoisans are fed up with authoritarian control and are fighting back, and I support them as they stand up to Governor JB Pritzker, and for what is right for their children and their communities."

Wilcox said decisions affecting school districts should be made in their communities.

"The people of Illinois need discussion and discourse, not mandates and rules. They need legislative and community engagement, not dictator-style governance. They need democracy, not tyranny. I have said all along that all decisions regarding COVID-19 should be made locally, by those who live and serve in our communities and understand each city and town’s unique characteristics and circumstances. And now that the courts are exposing the Governor’s abuse of authority, I hope we are approaching the end of this terrible chapter in our state’s history."

According to WGLT News, the temporary restraining order is specific to school districts named in the lawsuit, including Eureka #140, Prairie Central #8, Roanoke Benson #60, Morton #709, El Paso-Gridley #11, Mahomet-Seymour CUSD 3, Dunlap #323, Metamora Township High School, and Metamora Community Consolidated in central Illinois.

Schools not specifically named in the order have been left uncertain about how to proceed. Some districts have already notified parents that masks are now voluntary.

"For those that weren't named (in the lawsuit), it is creating some uncertainty and a lot of consternation about which direction to go, at least in the short term," said Mark Jontry, regional superintendent of schools for Dewitt, Livingston, Logan, and McLean counties, according to WGLT News.

WGLT requested comments from parents about mask issues. Out of 50 responses, approximately two-thirds of comments were in favor of continuing mask mandates in schools, leaving one third commenting that school districts should be able to determine their own policies for students.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker has directed the Attorney General's Office to file an appeal with the Fourth District Court of Appeals, WIFR 23 News reported.