NW Illinois News

State Rep. Tony McCombie (R-Savanna) is urging parents to make sure they’re heard on Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s recent decision to impose a statewide mask mandate on public and private school students alike across the state.

"Leader Durkin has made an inquiry and I will advise ASAP,” McCombie said in a post to Facebook. “It is imperative that you communicate (respectfully) with your school boards and let them know you agree or disagree with this mandate on your kiddos. Silence implies consent."

The measure imposed by the governor also mandates that all state employees working at congregate settings like long-term care facilities or veterans' homes be vaccinated by early October and that teachers and staff members on all levels wear masks regardless of vaccination status.

Rep. Jim Durkin (R-Burr Ridge), who serves as House Minority Leader, wasted little time voicing his outrage at what he sees as the governor’s abuse of his power.  

“For over a year, the Governor cut out a co-equal branch of government and ruled the state with unilateral authority instead of working collaboratively to handle the pandemic,” he told WJBC.com. “Governor Pritzker must put this continuing power trip aside and allow local health departments, elected officials, schools and most importantly, parents, to make decisions on these serious issues to help stop the spread of COVID-19.”

State Rep. Tom Morrison (R-Palatine) agrees wholeheartedly, even wondering if the governor even has the legal authority to do what he’s doing.

 "It violates constitutional checks and balances, public input, and local control," he told the Daily Herald. "Our local school districts are closest to parents, students, and educators and are capable of deciding what is best for their respective communities.”

Even as the criticism continues to mount, the governor vows to push forward.

"My goal has always been to safely bring all kids back into the classroom and, crucially, keep them there,” he said, stressing that both the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and the American Academy for Pediatrics both also stand in favor of universal masking.

 “Without these measures, we will likely see many more outbreaks."