Will County Gazette

In response to a Sangamon County judge's ruling that Gov. J.B. Pritzker's statewide student mask requirement is illegal, Channahon School District 17 is going mask-optional, effective immediately.

"In light of this ruling, students and staff will now have the option to not wear a mask in our schools sooner," wrote CSD 17 Superintendent Nicholas M. Henkle, in a note to parents Saturday. "Beginning on Monday, February 7, masking will be optional (in) CSD schools."

Henkle said he had already planned to go mask-optional on Feb 22, regardless of the court's ruling.

Will County Catholic schools are taking the opposite approach. Joliet Diocese Superintendent Michael J. Boyle said Friday night that the 40 private schools under his rule--including St. Joseph in Manhattan, St. Jude In New Lenox, St. Mary in Modena, St. Mary Immaculate in Plainfield and St. Mary Nativity in Joliet-- would be immediately prohibited from playing maskless basketball. He expressed concern they could do so safely.

The district serves 1,172 students in Channahon. Schools in Channahon District 17 include Channahon Junior High, N.B. Galloway Elementary School, Pioneer Path Elementary School and Three Rivers Elementary School.