UPDATED: Now 36 School Districts Being Penalized for Defying School Mask Mandate
Quincy Middle School students arrived for the first day of school Thursday wearing masks. 26 districts from around the state are defying Governor JB Pritzker’s Executive Order requiring masks in schools.
UPDATE (Thursday 6:11 P.M.):
The state reports there are now 36 school districts or private schools being penalized for defying the Governor’s Executive Order:
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26 school districts around the state are all facing penalties from the Illinois State Board of Education for violating Governor JB Pritzker’s mask mandate in schools.
The Abingdon-Avon School Board in western Illinois voted unanimously last week to defy the mask mandate, against the recommendation of legal counsel and the school superintendent.
The school district is about about 15 minutes south of Galesburg.
Monday, the Illinois State Board of Education “reduced” the recognition status of the school district, and if it doesn’t comply with the mandate, it will lose recognition status. That means a total loss of state funding and inability to participate in high school and junior high athletics.
“We will continue to act swiftly with both nonpublic and public schools that have confirmed they are not implementing universal indoor masking as required,” an ISBE spokesperson said. “ISBE will not compromise students' health and safety. Masking is a safe, easy, and effective way to ensure all students can attend school in-person this fall, where they can learn and grow to their fullest potential.”
The superintendent of Abingdon-Avon has not returned a message seeking comment.
According to ISBE, a total of 25 districts around the state are currently facing state penalties.
Highland School District in the Metro East eventually complied with the Governor’s order, but the school superintendent called the legislature “cowards” in the process.
“It has been frustrating for educators to see kids put in the middle of this battle. We are now in a no-win situation with many in our local communities and even some within our own buildings,” Highland Superintendent Mike Sutton wrote to parents. “We will not quit the fight to advocate for ALL students, though it seems that when we advocate for some, others are left out.”
In Beecher City in Effingham County, the local school board is consulting with Greenville attorney Tom DeVore, who has lost dozens of lawsuits against mask mandates in the past 18 months. The district is defying the mask mandate.