LM Feb 2022

LegalCorner

Chad Watkins IASA Associate Director/General Counsel

This month, Tueth Keeney Cooper Mohan & Jackstadt, P.C. writes about the legal issues pending before the courts as it relates to student masking and close contact exclusions. The authors are Merry Rhoades and Christine Self . As a reminder, the articles are provided for informational purposes only, and you are advised to contact your district counsel for legal advice. Click on the link below to access the article.

To help school leaders navigate these uncertain times, IASA has partnered with leading law firms throughout Illinois to provide districts with critical guidance during the 2021–22 school year. In every issue of Leadership Matters, the IASA Legal Corner will showcase an article, sometimes several articles, written by attorneys who specialize in legal matters related to education. It is our hope you find the content insightful, timely and helpful in addressing the critical matters you face.

Legal Issues Pending Before the Courts As It Relates to Student Masking In Close Contact Exclusions a. Requiring the indoor use of face coverings by students, staff, and visitors who are over age two and able to medically tolerate a face covering, regardless of vaccination status, consistent with CDC guidance; and, b. Implementing other layered prevention strategies (such as physical distancing, screening testing, ventilation, handwashing and respiratory etiquette, advising individuals to stay home when sick and get tested, contact tracing in (continue reading)...

On August 9, 2021 Governor J.B. Pritzker entered Executive Order 2021-18 directing the following: Section 1: School Mitigation Measures. All public and nonpublic schools in Illinois serving pre-kindergarten through 12th grade students must follow the joint guidance issued by ISBE and IDPH and take proactive measures to ensure the safety of students, staff, and visitors, including, but not limited to:

9 LM February 2022