(Undated) – Despite the vocal opposition to a mask mandate in schools for the coming year, school boards appear to have little choice but to comply. The Illinois State Board of Education is making it clear that it will be enforcing Governor, J.B. Pritzker’s, executive order requiring indoor masking at schools. State Superintendent, Dr. Carmen Ayala, signed a letter this week informing districts that they risk losing state recognition if they choose to defy the masking order. Ayala’s letter states that the executive order has the force of law. The letter also clarified that districts do not have the ability to opt-out, and that non-compliance would also open schools up to uncovered legal liability. All four of the Crawford County school boards meet Monday.
