Masking no longer required in District 87

Posted on February 17, 2022
Superintendent Dr. Barry Reilly says the district will continue to social distance as much as possible and clean and disinfect classrooms as much as possible. (WJBC file photo)

By Neil Doyle

BLOOMINGTON – District 87 will not require face masks for students, staff and visitors after a legislative panel ruling earlier this week.

The Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) voted against extending IDPH Emergency Rules regarding masking requirements in schools.

“Upon discussing this with our legal representatives and weighing all options, effective immediately, District 87 will highly recommend but not require masking for all students, staff and visitors while on school premises,” said Superintendent Dr. Barry Reilly in a news release.

Masking is still required on school buses as this is a federal mandate. Reilly says the district will continue to social distance as much as possible and clean and disinfect classrooms as much as possible.

“Please do not send your child to school if they are sick or test positive for Covid,” Reilly added.

Meanwhile, Unit 5 also announced that masking will be recommended but not required for students, staff, and visitors.

Neil Doyle can be reached at [email protected]

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…