Rep. Adam Niemerg calls for local control of mask policy for upcoming school year

State Representative-Elect Adam Niemerg. Photo submitted.

For Immediate Release – June 28, 2021

Dieterich, IL – State Representative Adam Niemerg (R-Dieterich) says with Illinois open, there is no longer a need for a statewide mask mandate for schools.

“With the state fully open, I believe mask policies should be decided at the local level,” Niemerg said. “We don’t need a one-size fits all policy for the coming school year. Local districts should have the ability to decide their own mask policy for the upcoming school year especially given that children at a very low risk for the virus.”

Niemerg has sent Gov. Pritzker a letter asking him to allow local school districts to determine their own mask policies.

In the letter, Niemerg states, “the question I am hearing most often in my district is what is going to happen when kids return to school this fall. Specifically, I am hearing from constituents on what the mask policy will be for the coming school year…Please bring the mask mandate at our schools to an end and allow school boards to make these decisions locally.”

Niemerg has not heard back from the Governor’s office. A copy of the letter he sent is below.