Illinois General Assembly rule-making panel frustrated with Illinois State Board of Education

Posted on September 14, 2021
State Rep. Keith Wheeler (R-Oswego), co-chair of the Joint Commission on Administrative Rules, discussed the allegation some non-public schools are not being provided due process when they ignore the governor’s mask mandate. (Photo courtesy: WJBC/File)

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – Members of a bipartisan, bicameral rule-making panel in the Illinois General Assembly might be forgiven for sounding a little frustrated with the Illinois State Board of Education.

The Joint Commission on Administrative Rules wants ISBE to draw up a rule setting out due process for non-public schools up for de-recognition when those schools ignore the governor’s mask mandate.

“This, on its face, is a very heavy-handed tactic that does not afford any due process,” said State Sen. John Curran (R-Downers Grove). “You have a process in the rule that lays out a due process timeline that allows for meaningful discourse and for cooler heads to prevail.”

The unanimous vote came after the board’s lawyer told a JCAR co-chair there were no plans to change.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected]. 

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