No More Mask Requirement For Joliet's 2 Public School Districts

JOLIET, IL — On Friday afternoon, Joliet District 86 Superintendent Theresa Rouse announced that thousands of grade school and junior high students who attend Joliet's public schools will not be obligated to wear face masks any longer.

"In response to last evening’s Appellate Court of Illinois decision, beginning on Tuesday, February 22, 2022, masks are strongly encouraged to be worn by students and staff, but no longer required," Rouse announced in her letter to parents.

"We continue to recommend mask usage to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our buildings," Rouse continued. "Currently, masks are still required on school buses per the federal transportation mandate. All students must bring a mask to wear on the bus.

"We understand this change will be met with varying responses. The pandemic has affected everyone differently. Please be respectful and sensitive to the individual needs of our families and staff."

By late afternoon, Joliet Township High School District 204 changed its mask-wearing policy as well.

"As of Tuesday, JTHS is recommending that everyone continue to wear masks; however, this will no longer be a requirement. Therefore, we will make a face shield available to any staff or student who would like to wear a shield in addition to a mask for additional protection," stated Joliet Township High School Superintendent Karla Guseman.

She indicated that Joliet West and Joliet Central "will also continue to have the plexi-glass up in the cafeteria for the remainder of the school year. Masking on school busses and district vehicles is a federal regulation and is still required."

Joliet District 86 and Joliet Township High School District 204 were two of the only school districts in the area still mandating that masks must be worn by students inside their respective school buildings and classrooms.

Administrators in Plainfield, Minooka, Channahon and Troy Schools as well as the Joliet Catholic Diocese all made masks optional for students and staff earlier this month.