Dupage Policy Journal

Opponents say autonomy for local schools is at risk now that a bill has passed the House that would put reopening decisions in the hands of the governor in an emergency situation like this and other pandemics. 

HB 2789 allows the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) to authorize protocols on any school in the state, including private schools and home schooling, in the name of public safety. 

Shannon Adcock, a parent who ran for Indian Prairie School District 204, said the bill is an overreach.

"HB 2789, which is now assigned to Senate Committee, is a radical bill that is heavily backed by the teachers' union and woke ideologues plain and simple. I encourage people to look at the proponents of the bill and ask yourself, 'Why are these groups wanting to exert control over religious-based/private/homeschool instruction?'" Adcock said. 

Adcock said she was happy to oppose the bill.

"I give props to the opponents of this dangerous bill: Numerous police departments and many citizens, but my favorite is the man who opposes 'on behalf of any Illinois citizen with a brain.' Citizens better use their brains and quickly. Write Illinois state senators ... or don't complain when abortion advocates and socialists shut down your kids' schools," Adock said. 

The bill passed the House 70-42, along party lines.

During the House Floor debate, state Rep. Avery Bourne (R-Pawnee) noted it would relegate to the state decisions that have historically been made at the local level.

“For those of you who’ve been asking for any kind of legislative oversight on the COVID restrictions, this is absolutely the opposite of that,” Bourne said. “This means that for all of the schools who worked really hard to get students back in seats, I’m sorry, the state now says you’re closed. This takes away all local control.”

An HB 2789 amendment states the IDPH will establish rules, “for providing in-person instruction at nonpublic schools and public schools that include, but are not limited to, personal protective equipment, cleaning and hygiene, social distancing, occupancy limits, symptom screening, onsite isolation protocols, and shall provide those requirements to nonpublic schools and public schools with the assistance of the Illinois State Board of Education."

State Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia), a Republican gubernatorial candidate, has been rallying parents across the state to fully reopen all schools.