On July 22, 2021, the Madison County Board of Health passed a resolution strongly encouraging schools to make masking optional or parent choice, in Madison County. Tonight, local attorney Thomas DeVore, stood up to #SpeakForStudents at the Granite City School Board meeting.
Although the Granite City School Board elected not to vote tonight, Thomas DeVore challenged the board to consider the implications of mask mandates as they relate to a decision rendered by the Illinois Supreme Court (Hagler v. Larner , 284 Ill. 547) in 1918.
DeVore, who was also born in Granite City, highlights that this particular decision, rendered in 1918, also involved the Granite City School District. DeVore described a scenario in which the Madison County Board of Health had declared a state of emergency due to the smallpox pandemic, thus allowing the school district to require vaccinations for entry into school. The decision rendered at that time was in favor was in favor of the school district.
DeVore, challenged the Granite City School District to consider the unique position the District finds itself in based upon the recent recommendation by the Madison County Board of Health to make masks optional and that it would be contrary to the IL Supreme Court precedent to require maks on kids in school.