NW Illinois News

State Rep. Tony McCombie (R-Savanna) supports a judge's ruling that will end COVID-19 mandates in Illinois schools. 

Last week, a judge in Sangamon County issued a temporary restraining order against Gov. J.B. Pritzker, IDPH and multiple school districts effectively stopping the mask mandates and rules regarding vaccination and testing for teachers, according to Central Illinois Proud. 

McCombie took to Facebook to voice her support for the decision.

Rep. Tony McCombie (R-Savanna) | Facebook

"There is a lot of confusion for school tomorrow!" McCombie wrote in a Feb. 6 Facebook post. "For those that want to send their child with a mask that is your right to do so... for those of you that do not here is some advise [sic] from my friends at Awake IL." She posted a link to the Awake Illinois site that suggested parents have their children carry a copy of the temporary restraining order in their backpacks, and fill out a form to document parental wishes.

"Tomorrow may be a tough day... thank you to our administrators, teachers, parents and most importantly to our kiddos for your [heart emoji]️ of each other!"

In a 29-page order, Sangamon County Judge Raylene Grischow said school districts cannot be ordered to require masks for students and teachers unless a quarantine order is issued by a local health department.

Pritzker said he will fight the ruling. Central Illinois Proud reports the state's Attorney General Office has filed an appeal with the Fourth District Illinois Appellate Court.

"The grave consequence of this misguided decision is that schools in these districts no longer have sufficient tools to keep students and staff safe while COVID-19 continues to threaten our communities – and this may force schools to go remote," Pritzker said. 

"This shows yet again that the mask mandate and school exclusion protocols are essential tools to keep schools open and everyone safe," Pritzker's release said. "As we have from the beginning of the pandemic, the administration will keep working to ensure every Illinoisan has the tools needed to keep themselves and their loved one’s safe."