Schools Ask For Patience, Respect As Mask Rules Shift Again

CHICAGO AREA, IL — Many schools across the Chicago area are again going back to the drawing board to decide whether to change rules surrounding masking.

In recent weeks, a downstate judge ruled in favor of a temporary restraining order against school mask mandates. The lawsuit was filed by more than 700 parents whose children attended schools across the state.

The decision put masking rules in the hands of school districts. After the ruling, some school districts switched to recommending but not requiring masks. Other schools only allowed children listed as plaintiffs in the lawsuit to go mask-free while some stuck with requiring masks for all.

Early Friday, the Fourth District Appellate Court ruled an appeal by the Illinois attorney general against the temporary restraining order would be dismissed, according to media reports. The appeals court also ruled the mask requirement in school had expired.

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The court said schools would be able to decide how they'd like to proceed with a mask mandate.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker has expressed his disappointment in the decision and vowed to continue the fight in Illinois' highest court, where he will seek to have his mask mandate reinstated. Pritzker announced recently the mask mandate would be lifted statewide in most indoor locations on Feb. 28 but said he wanted masks to remain in schools.

The changes have caused an uproar among some parents and students, with protests surrounding masks happening outside schools, schools closing, and reports of bullying and teasing aimed at masked and unmasked children.

Students in Cary District 26 will return to school Tuesday with new masking rules.

After last week's ruling, school officials decided to switch from only allowing students listed in the lawsuit to go mask-free to strongly recommending masks be worn by all students and staff but not requiring it.

District 26 officials are instructing parents to set "clear expectations" with their children regarding masking or not masking at school.

"School staff will not be responsible for enforcing individual family’s expectations for masking or not masking," wrote Cary School District 26 Superintendent Brian Coleman in a letter to parents.

Coleman wrote that teasing of children regarding choices to wear, or not wear masks, will not be allowed.

"Teachers will continue to teach social-emotional lessons in the classroom, focusing on building a respectful culture in our schools," he wrote in the Saturday letter to parents. "No teasing will be allowed by students toward others wearing a mask or not wearing a mask. Regular discipline measures will be followed regarding teasing of any kind."

Fremont School District 79 plans to consider making masks optional during a Tuesday school board meeting. Any approved changes would take effect on Wednesday.

School officials urged "respect and courtesy" toward all "including those who may have opinions different from their own" moving forward.

"We ask that everyone continue to make student learning and safety our primary focus," wrote Nick Brilowksi, director of public relations for Fremont School District 79, in a letter to parents.

We want to hear from you: What's happening in your child's school? Has your child witnessed bullying or teasing? Has your school remained calm amid the changes?

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