DeKalb Times

State Sen. Dave Syverson (R-Rockford) is urging parents across the state to join him in taking a stand against Gov. J.B. Pritzker and his mask mandate for Illinois schools.

“With his announced changes to the state’s COVID-19 mitigation plan, including a new mask mandate for students, teachers and staff in all K-12 schools regardless of vaccination status, Gov. Pritzker continues his unilateral approach to pandemic decision  making, which actively undermines Illinois’ ability to have broadly accepted mitigation strategies,” Syverson said in a post to Facebook.  “Sign my petition if you believe that locally elected school boards with parental input should be allowed to decide what safety precautions and protocols are in place for their students and staff.”

Flexing his executive muscle, Pritzker singlehandedly moved to impose his order mandating that all students and teachers wear masks in schools as classes across the state are set to resume over the next several weeks. The measure also stipulates that all other staffers mask up regardless of vaccination status and that all state employees working at congregate settings that include long-term care facilities and veterans' homes be vaccinated by no later than Oct. 4.

As the level of criticism over the move continues to swell, Pritzker has defended his actions by pointing out the Illinois Department of Public Health and The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are now both recommending masking indoors at K-12 schools.

"As your governor, it's my duty to say that we must all take immediate and urgent action to slow the spread of the delta variant," he said. "People are dying who don't have to die."