Anti-Mask Speakers Defy LTHS Board Rules

LA GRANGE, IL – Like most school boards, the one for Lyons Township High School has a procedure for public input: Each speaker is asked to sign up and can speak for up to three minutes.

When resident Dessi Marinov was called to speak at Monday's meeting, she told the board that her prepared speech would last eight minutes. The board advised her that she was limited to three minutes. She said she would have others read the remaining portions of her text.

When her three minutes were up, resident Paul Kenna stepped up to continue the speech. The board’s president, Kari Dillon, read off the name of another speaker. It was the next person who signed up.

Marinov protested.

“Why would you interrupt me? That is so disrespectful,” said Marinov, who contended mask mandates were part of the government’s march to Marxism.

Kenna added, “You’re trying to shut us up.”

When Marinov continued to object, Dillon said, “Ma’am, this is our meeting.”

Kenna shot back, “You are paid by us.”

Filled with mask opponents, the audience objected to Dillon's statement. And Marinov said, “What you are doing is wrong, and you know that.”

Dillon said she wanted to respect the time and the process. She asked the next person on the list to speak.

But Kenna held the podium and started speaking. The board did nothing to stop him.

A few minutes later, Marinov returned to the podium and finished the speech.

In Illinois, school board members are unpaid volunteers.

Across the country, public input sessions at school board meetings have become especially contentious over the mask issue.

Under the First Amendment, government boards cannot regulate the content of residents’ speech during public comment. But state law allows entities to develop procedures for handling input.