McLean County Times

Sen. Chapin Rose (R-Decatur) recently took to Facebook to needle Gov. J.B. Pritzker over his relaxed mask mandate based on recent CDC guidelines.

“You lost in the Illinois Supreme Court, and now you're going to lift the mask mandate,” he posted on Facebook. “What's left to lift, (Gov. Pritzker), You were thrown out of the Supreme Court? Start listening to local schools and parents!”

The CDC said masks are a “critical public health tool to prevent the spread” of the coronavirus.

On Feb. 25, Pritzker announced that mask mandates would be lifted as of Feb. 28.

In his statement, Pritzker said: “I’m gratified that the Supreme Court vacated the lower court’s restraining order, meaning that if a school mask mandate needs to go into effect in the future, we continue to have that authority. I’m also extremely pleased to say that because the CDC has (recommended) that masks are needed only in areas of high transmission, the State of Illinois will move forward to remove our school mask mandate, effective Monday. We will recommend that school districts follow CDC guidance and will update our existing guidance in the coming days.”

In early February, Rose accused the governor of retaliating against individuals who defy him, using the mask mandates and his refusal to lift them.

Last month, Sangamon County Judge Raylene Grischow issued a temporary restraining order against Pritzker and school districts that would require students to wear masks, and staff to be tested weekly or vaccinated against the coronavirus.