By Mark Weyermuller -
Forcing Illinois school students to wear a mask is hitting a boiling point. Many school districts have decided to go “mask optional,” while others have dug in saying "masks required."
Attorney Thomas DeVore is representing students and parents in a lawsuit against Governor J.B Pritzker’s orders.
This all stems from a court ruling last Friday from Sangamon County Circuit Court Judge Raylene Grischow who ruled Governor J.B. Pritzker’s mandate orders are “null and void” for the plaintiffs involved. Judge Grischow wrote, “Statutory rights have attempted to be bypassed through the issuance of Executive Orders and Emergency Rules.”
Last night, I attended the in-person school board emergency meeting at Sunset Ridge District 29 in Northfield, Illinois. They decided it was an emergency that kids might not have to wear masks.
There was public comment by 15 people in person, including myself and 25 email comments read aloud by the a board member. They went on to discuss options for over an hour. Here is a link to the three hour board meeting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVAd4w_MKG8
They discussed making a plan. Using an app, I discovered they used the word “plan” 167 times. They also discussed having a task force to formulate a plan. The board members seemed to ramble while not discussing the fact they are violating a court order.
The board went on to vote 7-0 in keeping masks on kids. They have there next meeting on Tuesday where they might have a plan. One board member implied that kids might be traumatized and scared not wearing a mask. They also indicated kids might be confused if told not wear a mask and then get told to wear one later. The word “safety” was used over and over. Many believe wearing a mask is not safe.
In addition, a number of board members were wearing cloth masks and wearing masks incorrectly. It was very difficult for me to hear and understand the board speaking with masks on.
I attended one other school board meeting watching online an in person meeting in Naperville.
Several hundred parents and students pack the board room and overflow rooms nearby. Naperville school administration is pushing to keep masks on kids for now. I posted this one minute video of a mom speaking. As of press time this video has received 47,000 views on my Twitter page. Below Us screen shot and link to the clip on Twitter
To add to the confusion, many people are indicating forced mask wearing is tied to federal funding.
This is indicated in this post from the Palos Heights School Superintendent Merryl Brownlaw. Is this why many administrators, teachers, and unions want to keep masks on kids? Is it only about money and not safety??
It appears there is no chaos in the schools that are now mask optional as things are returning to normal. The chaos will continue as schools don’t follow the court order and force kids to wear masks. If you look on Twitter you will find students all over the area doing no masks protests. Things will continue to heat up until the mask optional is allowed and all mandates removed.
More to follow as I’m attending more rallies, protests, and school board meetings. Follow me on Twitter @publicpolicyman for updates.
Mark Weyermuller is a small business person, retired real estate professional, law & order supporter, tax payer advocate, and conservative activist in Chicago. He is a citizen journalist, frequent guest on talk radio, and regular contributor to Illinois Review.
Related
