Some Will County school districts still requiring face masks for its students on Monday

Whether or not students in Will County schools today are wearing face masks depends, in part, on which district they attend.

Late Friday night, Sangamon County Circuit Court Judge Raylene Grischow issued a temporary restraining order against Gov. JB Pritzker’s emergency order requiring face coverings and COVID-19 testing protocols in Illinois schools.

But some school districts are still requiring face masks anyway.

Who’s still requiring face masks

Joliet Township High School District 204

A news release from Joliet Township High School District 204 on Monday stated that just approximately 150 of Illinois’ Illinois’ 850 school districts were named in the lawsuit that resulted in the temporary restraining order.

Because District 204 was not named a defendant the lawsuit, District 204 is not making any changes to the COVID mitigations currently in place at JTHS at this time, the release said.

Instead District 204 will monitor “the legal implications of the court case,” guidance from the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Illinois State Board of Education and wait for further guidance, the release said.

Lockport High School District 205

On the other hand, Lockport High School District 205 was named in the lawsuit. But District 205 is also not altering any of its COVID mitigations as of Monday.

COVID mitigations that will continue include wearing face masks at school, “school exclusion for close contacts” as well as people with symptoms and contact tracing, according to a letter posted on the district website from District 205 Superintendent Robert McBride.

“This temporary restraining order will be appealed and may be stayed, meaning that the order could be placed on hold or dismissed while the appeal is decided,” McBride wrote. “As a result, the legal effect of the temporary restraining order is uncertain over the next two weeks.”

For now, District 205 will follow its Phase Five School Operations Plan.

“We will be required to follow any new ruling from the appellate court and/or Illinois Supreme Court,” McBride wrote in the letter. “We are acting with patience as this court case moves toward a definitive resolution.”

Chaney-Monge School District 88

Because Chaney-Monge was also not named a defendant in the lawsuit, all COVID mitigations currently in place at the school will remain, according to a Feb. 6 letter by Superintendent Andy Siegfried.

“As the name suggests, this was a temporary ruling and, based on the review of our attorney, it applies only to those students and staff who were plaintiffs in the cases,” Siegfried said in the letter.

Joliet Public Schools District 86

Joliet Public Schools District 86 told parents on Sunday it will continue to require masks in all of its buildings since the district was not named in the lawsuit challenging the mask mandate that resulted in the restraining order, according to Sunday’s Herald-News story.

Where facemasks are optional

New Lenox School District 122

New Lenox School District 122 was one of the school districts named in the lawsuit, Lori R. Motsch, superintendent of District 122 said in a Feb. 6 letter posted to the district’s website.

So as of Monday, District 122 shifted its facemasks and quarantine policy to “being recommended, but not required,” Motsch wrote in the letter.

Social distancing, handwashing and hand sanitizing and protocols remain in place. Policies will be reassessed if “the ruling is stayed or reversed,” Motsch wrote.

Motsch also said the updated face mask policing is a “wonderful opportunity to teach about kindness and respect.”

“Some students will come to school wearing masks and some will not. In education, we call this a ‘teachable moment,’” Motsch wrote. “We ask families to take time prior to Monday to have a conversation with their child regarding the importance of respecting the personal choice of each member of our school community.”

Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210

District 210 was not named in the lawsuit – but it still made face masks optional for staff students and visitors starting on Monday, according to a Feb. 6 letter from District 210 Superintendent R. Scott Tingley.

“This ruling also removes the quarantine requirement for close contact individuals, however, those who test positive are still required to isolate according to IDPH guidelines,” Tingley said in the letter

Tingley further encouraged people to “make the most appropriate choice for yourself and your family.”

Homer Community Consolidated School District 33C

Face masks and quarantine are strongly recommended but not required, Superintendent Craig Schoppe said in a Feb. 6 letter posted to the Homer Community Consolidated School District 33C Facebook page.

Schoppe also said universal masking might be required again if COVID-19 metrics dictate it. Other COVID mitigations, such as “physical distancing, regular deep cleaning, increased air ventilation in the classrooms, and hand washing,” will remain at District 33C, Schoppe wrote.

Valley View Community Unit School District 365U

Because Valley View Community Unit School District 365U was one of the districts named in the lawsuit, universal masking is recommended but not required as of Monday, according to Superindent Rachel Kinder in a Feb. 6 letter posted on the district website.

In addition, weekly screening for unvaccinated staff and unvaccinated students participating in extra-curricular activities or testing for students participating in test-to-stay will not be required,” Kinder wrote in the letter.

Students and staff will symptoms of illness still must stay home. Students or staff who test positive for COVID-19 still must isolate. The district will notify students or staff if they were in close contact to someone who is positive with COVID-19; however, quarantine is optional unless required by the health department, Kinder wrote.

Plainfield Community Consolidated School District 202

Plainfield School District 202 said in a message to families on Sunday that masks are “strongly encouraged” but will not be required for students, staff or visitors until further notice, according to Sunday’s Herald-News story.

Who’s uncertain

Troy Community Consolidated School District 30-C

Troy Community Consolidated School District 30-C is not one of the defendents named in the lawsuit, according to Jeanne Millsap in communityi relations for the district. Troy is holding a special meeting on Monday night.