Arguments scheduled in Parkview Christian Academy’s request for a temporary restraining order against ISBE over mask mandate issue

Parkview Christian Academy is scheduled to present its case in court later this month for a temporary restraining order against the Illinois State Board of Education over its move to revoke the school’s recognition for not acknowledging the statewide mask mandate.

Oral arguments are scheduled at 1 p.m., Sept. 29, in Kendall County Court. Plano attorney Carlo Colosimo will represent Parkview Christian Academy and Illinois Assistant Attorney General Samantha Grund-Wickramasekera will represent the Illinois State Board of Education.

Parkview Christian, a K-12 school along Countryside Parkway in Yorkville, previously announced its intent to hold its school year without acknowledging the statewide mask mandate in a letter sent to ISBE on Aug. 23. Gov. JB Pritzker in early August declared a mask mandate, requiring all students and staff in public and private schools to wear masks while inside, regardless of vaccination status.

ISBE revoked Parkview Christian’s recognition on Aug. 24. Consequences for the removal of the school’s recognition include eliminating the school’s ability to participate in Illinois High School Association and Illinois Elementary School Association sanctioned sports, blocking its participation in the Invest in Kids Act tax scholarship program, and ISBE will not recognize diplomas for graduating seniors.

Parkview is seeking a temporary restraining order to delay ISBE’s revocation of its recognition until a formal court hearing contesting the removal of its recognition with ISBE, currently scheduled for December.