The following letter regarding a recent court ruling in downstate Illinois was sent to the District 123 learning community on Feb 6, 2022 from Superintedent Paul Enderle.
District 123 School Community:
Late this past Friday evening, a ruling was issued by a Sangamon County court regarding COVID-19 mitigations within certain school districts named in an Illinois lawsuit. This article from the Associated Press summarizes the decision of the downstate court.
The decision of the court did not specifically name Oak Lawn-Hometown School District 123, and the class action portion of the lawsuit was not granted. Presently, the Governor has asked that the Attorney General’s office immediately appeal the decision and file a legal motion halting any outcomes associated with the ruling. At present the court's ruling does not pertain to School District 123 or prohibit School District 123 from exercising current COVID-19 mitigation measures already in place.
As the legal process for the Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) remains ongoing, we will continue to monitor outcomes and the corresponding impacts on School District 123. We pledge to immediately inform our community of any future legal rulings, executive orders, or public health recommendations that have any effect on the students and staff of District 123. Moving forward all current COVID-19 mitigations including universal face coverings, quarantine procedures, vaccination, and testing will remain in place. We will continue to make decisions strictly based on the recommendations and guidance from our public health providers and State authorities, which has served as a consistent factor in keeping District 123 children and staff safe throughout this pandemic.
We are confident that the measures we have implemented have served to keep virus transmission rates low and our in-person school environments safe. Thank you for your continued partnership and understanding as we strive to keep our schools healthy for everyone.
Sincerely,
Paul J. Enderle Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools