NW Illinois News

The state Senate is considering a bill that would allow the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) to come up with and enforce requirements for in-person learning at all public, private and parochial schools in the state. 

House Bill 2789 passed the state House with a 70-42 vote on April 22, with almost all the Democratic representatives supporting it and the Republican members who were in attendance rejecting the measure. 

"Currently, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) provides schools with COVID-19 guidance but allows local school districts to determine for themselves whether they need to shut down in-person learning," Sen. Win Stoller (R-Peoria) said in a May 11 Facebook post, promoting a poll. "Now, there is a bill (HB 2789) moving through the General Assembly that would give IDPH the power to close schools and school facilities for public, private and parochial schools if a compliance complaint is filed."

Stoller created a poll asking his followers whether they believe the power to close schools should be left up to school districts or the IDPH. 

According to Illinois Policy, the bill originated with the Illinois Education Association (IEA) and has been endorsed by the Illinois Federation of Teachers (IFT). The IEA claimed the bill is meant to make COVID-19 protocols and the enforcement of the law, but Illinois Policy said the version that passed the House didn't mention COVID-19 or other "emergency situations" and didn't note when it would expire. The bill, as is, could impact in-person learning post-pandemic. 

Only four groups, including IEA and IFT, have supported the change. In contrast, 89 others, including the Illinois State Board of Education, Chicago Public Schools, and the IDPH, have filed notice that they oppose it.