East Central Reporter

State Rep. Adam Niemerg (R-Dieterich) recently voiced his support for a judge's ruling that will end COVID-19 mandates in many Illinois schools. 

According to WMIX News, Sangamon County Judge Raylene Grischow ordered school districts to stop enforcing mask rules and excluding children from schools based on mask-wearing. She also ordered them to stop requiring teachers and staff to test for COVID-19 or be vaccinated unless a public health authority issued a quarantine order. 

Grischow added that districts not specifically named in the suit could make their decisions accordingly.

In response, Niemerg linked to a Metro East Sun story that said Father McGivney Catholic High School in Glen Carbon is now mask-optional.

"The announcement came in an email to parents by school President, Reverend Jeffrey Goeckner, in response to a Sangamon County court ruling late Friday that declared Gov. J.B. Pritzker's school student mask requirement 'null and void,'" Niemerg reposted from the Metro East Sun story in a Feb. 6 Facebook post. 

"'In light of this ruling and guidance from Bishop (Thomas) Paprocki's Administrative team at the Springfield Diocese... wearing masks indoors is still recommended regardless of vaccination status, however not a requirement," Goeckner wrote.' Very proud of Bishop Creek Native Father Jeff Goeckner! Lets keep this going.......#unmask the KIDS!"

Pritzker said he will fight this ruling. Central Illinois Proud reports that the Attorney General's Office has filed an appeal with the Fourth District Illinois Appellate Court.

"The grave consequence of this misguided decision is that schools in these districts no longer have sufficient tools to keep students and staff safe while COVID-19 continues to threaten our communities – and this may force schools to go remote," Pritzker said. 

"This shows yet again that the mask mandate and school exclusion protocols are essential tools to keep schools open and everyone safe," Pritzker said. "As we have from the beginning of the pandemic, the administration will keep working to ensure every Illinoisan has the tools needed to keep themselves and their loved one’s safe."

Chalkbeat reports that as of Feb. 1, 60% of the country’s 500 largest school districts required students and staff to wear masks, but the situation in many places is rapidly evolving. In New Jersey and Delaware, Democratic governors have set timelines for lifting such requirements, citing declining case rates. In Virginia, Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin has tried something similar and is now seeing fierce pushback — including a lawsuit — from parents.

The emergency appeal filed by the Illinois Attorney General's Office will require a response in two days, with a ruling from the appellate court expected within five days.