Dupage Policy Journal

AWAKE Illinois President Shannon Adcock wants to make sure Gov. J.B. Pritzker is clear about his job description in the widening fight over masking in Illinois schools.

“Gov. Pritzker is not the emperor,” Adcock told audience members during a recent Naperville District 203 School Board meeting. “Every region and local school board has an opportunity to harness the ultimate science – that of law. Refuse enforcement of this mask mandate at schools. The mask mandate is taboo. Vote out Gov. Pritzker in 22.”

Adcock urged Illinois parents to hold on strong.

“The mask mandate will lift and we will have to live with COVID and live without the governor’s abuse of power,” she said, “From the novel 'Dune:' 'Law is the ultimate science. Thus, read it above the emperor’s door. I propose to show him law.'"

As in-person learning in schools across the state is slated to resume over the next several weeks, parents are angry the governor is imposing a statewide masking mandate for all public and private school students. The order also requires all teachers and staffers to be masked while inside school buildings regardless of vaccination status.

In the Lake County area, local father Mike Prochaska has launched a drive seeking signatures for his “unmask our children in Wheeling, Buffalo Grove and Arlington Heights” campaign.

The petition reads: "This petition is to give us (the parents) 'THE CHOICE' to unmask our children regardless of vaccination status. It’s not the school's job to determine what is best concerning the health of our children. We as the parents have that Choice and the board of D21 has a choice to say mask optional regardless of vaccination.”