Protection of our Children's Rights & Optional Masks in Foxlake School District 114

 by: Amanda 

We, the parents/guardians of children attending Foxlake School District 114, respectfully request that face masks and vaccination status be at the discretion of parents/guardians only.

While the rest of the economy has returned to normal, children and schools have not been afforded the same opportunity, already being pressured to require masks again this fall. The IL Dept of Public Health (IDPH) had repealed the mask mandate on May 17th, and shortly thereafter the IL State Board of Education (ISBE) had issued "guidance" that schools should do masks again this fall. There are several key problems with this:

ISBE is not a lawmaking body.
ISBE is not a health governing body.
Everything ISBE does is controlled by state law, 105 ILCS.
Nothing in state law gives ISBE power over schools to require masks.
Issuing this "guidance" many months ahead of time implies its not based on metrics.
"Guidance" is not the same as a law. Schools need to understand this.
No laws have been changed by our legislature that allows ISBE to control masks.
There is plenty of data that suggests masks are a bad idea.
There is no data to support that mask wearing did anything to change the outcome in schools.
It is important to stick with laws and facts, rather than opinion or emotion.
Numerous other schools know this and have already decided on optional masks.


Per the Civil Immunities (745 ILCS 70/) Health Care Right of Conscience Act1: "It is the public policy of the State of Illinois to respect and protect the right of conscience of all persons who refuse to obtain, receive or accept, or who are engaged in, the delivery of, arrangement for, or payment of health care services and medical care whether acting individually, corporately, or in association with other persons; and to prohibit all forms of discrimination, disqualification, coercion, disability or imposition of liability upon such persons or entities by reason of their refusing to act contrary to their conscience or conscientious convictions in providing, paying for, or refusing to obtain, receive, accept, deliver, pay for, or arrange for the payment of health care services and medical care."

Per the United States Department of Education Office for Civil Rights2: "As school leaders respond to evolving conditions related to coronavirus, they should be mindful of the requirements of Section 5043, Title II4 and Title VI5 to ensure that all students are able to study and learn in an environment that is safe and free from discrimination."

Per the FEMA Civil Rights Bulletin6: "Rights laws and legal authorities remain in effect, and cannot be waived, during COVID-19, Executive Orders, [or during] other disasters."

Per the Federal Law, Title 21 U.S.C. § 360bbb-3 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act7: "Individuals to whom the product is administered are informed— (I) that the Secretary has authorized the emergency use of the product; (II) of the significant known and potential benefits and risks of such use, and of the extent to which such benefits and risks are unknown; and (III) of the option to accept or refuse administration of the product, of the consequences, if any, of refusing administration of the product, and of the alternatives to the product that are available and of their benefits and risks."



As the parent/guardian of a student attending Foxlake School District 114, I affirm these expectations and trust your leadership will reflect support of parental consent, civil rights, and all liberties protected by the laws, regulations, and constitution of Illinois and the United States of America. Should the school district personnel and/or agent enact policies/guidelines/protocols that are in violation of any law, right, or protection of our children, legal action will be taken.