Unmasking Effects | Ghost Guns | Administrators Paid To Not Work

We're midway through the first full week of the second month of 2022, with below-freezing temperatures predicted to arrive this weekend. After last week's ruling from a Central Illinois judge forced dozens of school districts to adjust their mask policies, Illinoisans learned this week that the governor's statewide mask mandate is set to expire at the end of the month in many other indoor locations.

Here are some of the stories getting attention from Patch.com readers:

Masked or Unmasked: Have IL School Changes Affected Your Child?

Some IL children are wearing masks to school this week and others are not. Has this led to teasing or bullying at your child's school?

'Ghost Gun' Conviction: Glenview Man Sold AR-15 In Deerfield

Joseph Ghandour sold the illegal rifle to a felon, who was cooperating with law enforcement, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

High School District Pays Full Salary For On-Leave Senior HR Staff Until End Of Year

The district will have paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to its two top HR employees while on leave — both agreed not to talk about why.

Local Grad Set To Play In Jeopardy National College Championship

Glenview's Fiona Hellerman, now at Tulane University, won the Maple School Geography Bee in 2012.

Norge Ski Jumpers Soar Into 1st Round In Beijing

All three local ski jumpers did not make it past the 1st round in normal hill competitions over the weekend.

IL School Mask Ruling 'Cultivates Chaos,' Gov. JB Pritzker Says

The governor said districts not named in the lawsuit — and those with employee union agreements — must continue to follow his mandates.

Parents Angry Over Mask Mandate Booted From D300 Meeting

One parent told police to arrest her after she was asked to leave and another was escorted out, according to media reports.

Lake County Man Who Walked Away From Crash Still Missing 12 Days Later

Anyone with any information on Thomas "Tommy" Howe's whereabouts is asked to call Antioch police.

Frank Lloyd Wright Jr. Home To Double As Dog Boarding Business

The north suburban home sold to the owners of Happy Pup Manor dog training and boarding business for $2.3 million.

Chicago Botanic Garden Admissions Fee Has 'Plan-Ahead Pricing'

The cost of entry to the formerly free Cook County Forest Preserve District property ranges from $10 to $26, depending on various factors.

Critics Cry Fowl As Village Trustees Welcome Carvana Tower

The car dealer made concessions to bird advocates before winning board approval for a tower between the Edens Expressway and Harms Woods.

POLICE REPORTS/BLOTTER

• 2 Charged With Retail Theft Of Liquor From Walgreen's: Blotter
• Florida Truck Driver Busted For Not Having CDL License: Blotter
• Schaumburg Man Charged With Dissemination Of Child Pornography
• Son, 5, Dies Weeks After Dad's Death In Crash
• Naked Man Kidnaps Woman, 80, Barricades Self In Her House: Cops

EARLIER: Winter Fires | Missing Residents | Mask, Vaccine Mandates Updated