Republican St. Sen. Brian Stewart says Gov. Pritzker continues issuing mandates without any legislative oversight. Stewart says it’s a one-size-fits-all approach that hurts businesses and has put thousands of Illinoisans out of work. And he says it’s a lack of leadership that failed to provide a state system to help newly unemployed Illinoisans to receive the most basic of financial assistance. Stewart says he’ll continue advocating for local authorities to make decisions about mask mandates and other COVID-19 combat measures.
Pritzker’s order Wednesday says pre-K through 12th grade students and staff at all schools in Illinois must wear masks indoors. Masks are required at indoor sports and extracurricular activities. And state employees who work in prisons, nursing homes, mental health institutions, and facilities like that must be vaccinated against COVID-19 by October 4th.