Rockford Sun

State Rep. Joe Sosnowski (R-Rockford) says Illinois stands at the wrong end of the spectrum when it comes to masks and mandates.

“The more you know, the more you understand that masks and mandates make no sense, especially for children," Sosnowski said in a post to Facebook. “Illinois is the only state in the Midwest with a statewide mandate. There are only five states with mandates, three of which have announced mandates are ending. We need to continue taking steps toward normalcy and end all mandates.”

Earlier this month, Sosnowski released a statement calling on Illinois schools to comply with the temporary restraining order issued by Sangamon County Circuit Court Judge Raylene Grischow on Feb. 4 declaring Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s emergency rules for COVID-19 mitigations in schools nullified.

“In our system of government, the judiciary has the final say, not the Governor and not his allies in the legislature,” Sosnowski said. “School districts that have not yet complied with the court’s ruling should do so immediately. Wearing a mask in school should be optional and a decision made by a parent or guardian.”

Beyond the court’s ruling, Sosnowski said he sees other reasons why he feels mask mandates have run their course.

“Masks are not effective in decreasing infection and children have proven to be the safest from serious infection,” he said. “We are one of only a couple states enforcing a statewide mask mandate and it needs to end. I support Judge Grischow’s ruling and urge all our local school districts to follow her order without further delay.”

The suit filed on behalf of parents across the state by attorney Thomas DeVore sought a temporary restraining order against 145 school districts enforcing COVID-19 mitigations. The Pritzker administration has filed a notice to appeal the court’s ruling, with Pritzker asserting it has “cultivated chaos for parents, families, teachers and school administrators.”

“Judge Raylene Grischow’s ruling is out of step with the vast majority of legal analysis in Illinois and across the nation,” Pritzker said during a recent press conference. “Most importantly, it constrains the ability of the named school districts to maintain safe in-person learning requirements.”

Over the last week, Pritzker has mentioned on several occasions that he is considering easing public masking guidelines soon. The governor though cautioned there may come a time when Illinois requires another mask mandate.