NAPERVILLE, Ill. (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Three Chicago area parochial schools have lost the state’s recognition for defying Governor Pritzker’s mask mandate for schools.
The three schools unrecognized by the Illinois Board of Education are all pre-kindergarten through 8th grade. They include Bethany Lutheran School, in Naperville; Lutheran School of St. Luke, in Itasca; and Trinity Christian School, in Shorewood. They are three of four private schools throughout the state to be sanctioned by ISBE for defying the governor's mask mandate. Another Lutheran school in Mattoon was also unrecognized.
According to the Daily Herald, the Illinois State Board of Education leveled that punishment Wednesday.
"We do not take this action lightly," ISBE Director Carmen Ayala wrote in the revocation letter to the schools. "The purpose of the universal indoor masking requirement is to ensure that all students can safely attend school in-person this fall. We know that consistent and correct mask use is the simplest, most effective way to keep students safely in school, where they can learn and grow to their fullest potential."
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None of the three schools has any mention of COVID protocols on its website; but Trinity Christian School mentions COVID-19 in a newsletter on returning to school from any illness, COVID-related or not.
When a school or district loses recognition from ISBE, any diplomas issued by the school would not carry the weight of state recognition. Plus, parents would not be able to take advantage of a specific tax credit, and students would not be eligible for IHSA and Illinois Elementary School Association sports.
Additionally, 32 public school districts are "on probation" with the state Board of Education for defying the governor's mask mandate.
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