Local Schools Close, Drop Mask Mandates After Court Ruling

MCHENRY COUNTY, IL — School districts across the Chicago area have been scrambling to update masking policies after a downstate judge on Friday ruled in favor of a temporary restraining order against school mask mandates.

On Monday, Fox River Grove District 3 students had the option to leave their masks at home, as did students within Crystal Lake District 47.

• IL School Mask Ruling 'Cultivates Chaos,' Gov. JB Pritzker Says

"Effective immediately, face masks will be strongly recommended but not required at school and at all school-related events for staff and students, as well as visitors and volunteers," wrote District 3 Superintendent Sandy Ozimek in a letter to parents. "Students and staff are still required to wear face masks on school buses per federal regulation as the court ruling has no effect on federal requirements."

Across the river in nearby Cary, District 26 announced Sunday that only the 11 students named in the lawsuit would be able to ditch their masks. School officials said the rest of its students and staff will still be required to wear masks.

"Staff and students continue to be regularly absent from school due to positive COVID-19 cases," according to a letter from the District 26 Board of Education. "We serve children with medical conditions that put them at increased risk of illness. Many of our students and staff members live with family members with compromised health conditions. Our goal throughout the pandemic has been to ensure that we maintain a safe learning environment for all of our students, especially those who are most vulnerable."

On Friday afternoon, Sangamon County Circuit Judge Raylene Grischow issued a temporary restraining order. The lawsuit filed by hundreds of parents statewide from 170 different school districts challenged Gov. J.B. Pritzker's executive order, which requires masking in schools.

On Monday, Pritzker said the "ruling is out of step with the vast majority of legal analysis in Illinois and across the nation."

The governor said he has asked Attorney General Kwame Raoul to ask another judge to quickly overturn the ruling.

"We want to make sure that we're getting an appeal heard as soon as possible," Pritzker said, "so that we can rid ourselves of the fog of the, frankly, not good decision by the Sangamon County court."

Meanwhile, some Chicago area schools, including Algonquin-based Community Unit School District 300, canceled classes Monday. St. Charles District 303 also canceled classes as administrators discussed how to move forward following the ruling.

"The district will be implementing an emergency day as a proactive measure to ensure a safe learning environment for our students and our staff," according to a statement posted Monday on D300's website. "The district will send a follow-up message tonight with more information."

Local school districts now tasked with making their own decisions on mitigations should continue to require masks, according to a statement from the Local Health Departments of Northern Illinois Public Health Consortium on Monday.

Crystal Lake Elementary District 47 announced masks will be strongly recommended but not required at school and all school-related events for staff and students, as well as visitors and volunteers. Students and staff also need to wear masks on the bus.

School officials are prepping parents for possible changes if there's an increase in illness among staff and students.

According to the letter to parents, "buildings may temporarily need to limit the number of visitors and volunteers in our buildings as an added mitigation measure should we see an increase in student or staff illness."

District 47 is encouraging parents of children with medical conditions to talk with their nurse to see if they qualify for a medical certification.

"Our school community includes students with medical conditions that put them at increased risk of illness as well as students who live with family members with compromised health conditions," according to the District 47 letter to parents. "We recognize that some parents may be worried about sending their children to school when masks are not consistently worn and other COVID-19 prevention strategies are not required. If your child has or may qualify for a medical certification, please contact the school nurse to discuss the medical certification process."