Dear families of the East Moline School District:
We were recently informed that a Sangamon County judge has ruled that Governor Pritzker’s Executive Orders 2021-18, 2021-24, and 2021-25, are invalid. These orders require the use of masks for students and teachers, the weekly testing of personnel who are not vaccinated against COVID-19, and the exclusion of “close contacts” to a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19.
This order was issued late in the afternoon of Friday, February 4, 2022, by Judge Raylene Grischow of the Circuit Court for the Seventh Judicial Circuit in a group of cases that did not directly involve the East Moline School District. The judge had earlier denied a motion to certify these cases as a class action lawsuit that would have applied to all school districts in Illinois. The lllinois Attorney General, who represents Governor Pritzker and the state agencies, has already filed a motion requesting that the enforcement of this order be stayed, stating that they will be seeking an immediate, expedited appeal.
After consulting with our Board of Education, our school community will continue to follow the established COVID-19 mitigation protocols already in place. We will keep these measures in place until there is a final resolution of these issues by the courts or a change in guidance from the Illinois State Board of Education or the Illinois Department of Public Health. As always, the health and safety of our students and staff is the highest priority of the East Moline School District. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding while we monitor this ongoing situation.
Yours for children,
Dr. Kristin Humphries, Superintendent