The “Freedom Rally” was held in downtown Bloomington Friday between the McLean County Law and Justice Center and the county health department to protest mask requirements in schools.
Photo by Mark Weaver
Earlier this month, Gov. J.B. Pritzker ordered face coverings for students from preschool through high school. He said the move was needed to limit the spread of COVID and the delta variant. Several school boards said they wouldn’t enforce mask use. Some parents are suing over the order.
Ty Smith, host of “Cancel This” on Cities 92.9
McLean County Unit 5 school board voted to require masks in schools for all regardless of vaccination status one week before Pritzker’s order. Bloomington District 87 published its back to school plan, which includes mandatory masking. The board meeting on the issue it was canceled after Pritzker’s decision.
Unit 5 school board member Jeremy DeHaai–UNMASK THE KIDS
State Superintendent of Education Carmen Ayala said local boards of education, schools, and school districts don’t have the authority to turn down the executive order on masking in schools. The letter said doing so would put the health and safety of students at risk, and it would also expose the district to legal liability — potentially without insurance to cover damages.
In response to the protest, the McLean County Health Department issued a statement saying it is committed to promoting protecting and health, which includes promoting vaccinations and face masks:
“We understand that these mitigations may not always be popular, and we support the right of the stakeholders in our community to express their differences peacefully and respectfully.”
Becky Swan
