The Democratic governor of Illinois wants to mandate face coverings for all children attending public schools in the fall.
In a prepared statement released on Thursday, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said he chose to file a preemptive lawsuit in case residents elected to fight the face covering requirement in court. The governor said that wearing a mask is common sense during the coronavirus pandemic and that anyone with children would understand the motivation behind his order.
“As a father, I would not send my children to a school where face coverings are not required because the science is clear: Face coverings are critical to prevent the spread of coronavirus,” Pritzker said.
Though schools have yet to push back against Pritzker’s suggestion, officials at two private schools and a public school district in the state informed the Illinois Board of Education that they do not believe the governor has the authority to mandate such a policy.
Ann Spillane, chief legal counsel to Pritzker, said the lawsuit was essential to creating safety standards that would assuage any concerns that parents might have about sending their children to school.
“Students need to prepare, parents need to know what’s coming, administrators need guidelines,” Spillane said. “Confusion on these things leads to risk. We’re sending a signal that this issue is not up for debate. The governor doesn’t have an option.”
