After Protest, Hinsdale D-181 Says No Mask Rule

HINSDALE, IL — Hinsdale School District 181 decided Monday to temporarily suspend the mask mandate, a response to a court order from a downstate judge. Employees are still required to wear them.

The district's decision followed a protest over masks at its headquarters in Clarendon Hills. The rally drew 200 demonstrators and was uneventful, Clarendon Hills Police Chief Paul Dalen told the Village Board on Monday night.

A day before, District 181 announced it would go to remote learning Monday as it figured out how to follow the Sangamon County judge's order. The court is responding to a lawsuit filed by parents from nearly 150 school districts, including District 181.

In a statement Monday night, District 181 Superintendent Hector Garcia said the district would immediately return to a mask mandate if the judge's order was reversed or changed upon appeal.

A couple of weeks ago, the district said it was poised to keep the mask requirement if the judge allowed the decision to be made at the local level.

On Monday, Garcia said it would leave unchanged its "exclusion" protocols for students and staff who are sick or are experiencing symptoms of the coronavirus.

Garcia said the district still strongly recommended students wear masks. That would ensure the continuity of in-person learning, he said.

"We appreciate your patience and continued cooperation until we have a more definitive result from the pending court cases," Garcia said. "We will continue to monitor the litigation and will revisit, as necessary, any changes that may be required to our mitigation measures and protocols."

In-person learning returns Tuesday.