The State Board of Education heard from officials and parents about the school mask mandate at its monthly meeting on Wednesday. Several people spoke during the public comment segment of the meeting asking the board to leave it up to individual school districts to decide mask rules.  Many parents spoke about the vast size of Illinois and that you can’t compare Northern Illinois to Southern Illinois. There were concerns over students wearing masks all day, especially those with allergies. Some school officials like Westville Superintendent Seth Miller says that he is concerned about enforcement.

State Senator Darren Bailey spoke and brought 45,000 signatures from parents who asked for the schools to have control of the mask mandate. He asked the board where they have the authority to make the mask mandate a rule. 

Senator Bailey continued saying that Governor JB Pritzker does not have the authority to enforce the mandate. State Schools Superintendent Carmen Ayala says that it was important for everyone to wear masks at school.

The mandate requires all students and staff to wear a mask indoors whether they are vaccinated or not.