34 Illinois school districts put on probation for not complying with state's mask mandate

Illinois State Board of Education puts 21 districts on probation for not following mask mandate

School is just getting started in Illinois and 21 school districts in the state have already been placed on probation for not complying with the state's mask mandate.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - School is just getting started in Illinois and 34 school districts in the state have already been placed on probation for not complying with the state's mask mandate.

On Aug. 4, Gov. Pritzker issued an executive order mandating masks to be worn by students and teachers to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

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According to the Illinois State Board of Education, 34 districts have refused to comply.

The districts will now have the opportunity to meet with the board of education and submit a corrective action plan to "address the deficiencies that are presenting a danger to students and staff," ISBE said.

Districts that do not submit a plan will lose recognition status.

This means the districts would lose access to state funding and are unable to participate in IHSA and IESA sports.

Additionally, ISBE has revoked the recognition of seven nonpublic schools that were not complying with the mask requirement.

Two nonpublic schools and two school districts have had their statuses restored to Fully Recognized after changing their policies to require universal indoor masking, ISBE said.

The school districts that are currently on probation or not recognized include the following (this is the latest update at of Aug. 18):