Karen Ann Cullotta

Parents and students protest outside Queen of Martyrs Catholic School in Evergreen Park on Feb. 13, 2022, in support of Principal Jacob "Doc" Mathius, who was placed on administrative leave for defying the Archdiocese of Chicago's school mask mandate. He was fired Feb. 16, 2022.

Catholic school principal ousted after defying Chicago Archdiocese COVID-19 mask protocol

February 17, 2022 at 3:33 p.m.

After serving for more than four decades as an Archdiocese of Chicago educator, a beloved principal at a south suburban Catholic elementary school was fired this week for his pushback...

Students from Larkin High School in Elgin's School District U-46 head out after the last bell on Feb. 16, 2022. U-46 officials said the lawmakers' decision "does not impact the current masking landscape for our district."

Pritzker’s school mask mandate is losing steam as suburban Chicago districts go mask optional

February 17, 2022 at 12:36 p.m.

Despite lawmakers soundly rejecting the Illinois Department of Public Health's bid to extend its COVID-19 rules for schools this week, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Wednesday his executive order on masks...

A masked student crosses the street and heads to school while dozens of protesters call for mask optional schools outside of Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire on Friday, Feb. 11, 2022.

Democratic lawmakers join GOP to block Pritzker administration effort to set school mask rules ahead of appellate court ruling

February 16, 2022 at 12:05 p.m.

Bucking Gov. J.B. Pritzker, a handful of Democratic state lawmakers on Tuesday joined Republicans to block a rule aimed at ensuring school districts that aren't party to an ongoing lawsuit...

Students arrive at Mount Greenwood Elementary School in Chicago on Jan. 11.

Two CPS parents in school mask lawsuit say their kids were told to wear masks or leave Mount Greenwood school, want district held in contempt of court

February 14, 2022 at 6:45 p.m.

A Chicago Public Schools principal and the athletic director for Vernon Hills High School have been ordered to appear in court later this month to explain why they should not...

People protest about the mask mandate outside of Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire on Feb. 11, 2022.

Chicago-area schools see more protests and student walkouts over state’s mask mandate

February 13, 2022 at 3:10 p.m.

Against a pewter morning sky, a private plane glided over Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire Friday morning, pulling a sign proclaiming "D96, D103 & D125 UNMASK OUR KIDS!!!" as dozens...

Students and and their families head home after school at St. Raymond School in Mount Prospect on on Feb. 9, 2022. The school is making masks optional.

Illinois parents, educators call for COVID-19 exit strategy after schools left out of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s plan to lift mask mandate

February 9, 2022 at 7:55 p.m.

With Illinois schools blocked from Gov. J.B. Pritzker's plan to lift the statewide mask mandate, frustrated educators and parents said escalating tensions and plunging virus rates heighten the need for...

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Catholic school principal ousted after defying Chicago Archdiocese COVID-19 mask protocol

Pritzker’s school mask mandate is losing steam as suburban Chicago districts go mask optional

Democratic lawmakers join GOP to block Pritzker administration effort to set school mask rules ahead of appellate court ruling

Two CPS parents in school mask lawsuit say their kids were told to wear masks or leave Mount Greenwood school, want district held in contempt of court

Chicago-area schools see more protests and student walkouts over state’s mask mandate

Illinois parents, educators call for COVID-19 exit strategy after schools left out of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s plan to lift mask mandate

Gov. J.B. Pritzker will lift indoor mask mandate on Feb. 28, but rules will remain in place for schools

School mask ruling roils Illinois districts for a second day, prompting more protests as state’s appeal remains pending

Oak Park, Franklin Park area schools upholding mask mandates after downstate judge’s ruling

Ruling on Illinois school mask mandate throws districts into chaos