Emergency TRO Granted Beecher City, Cowden-Herrick School Districts

An emergency Temporary Restraining Order has been granted the Red Hill, Beecher City and Cowden-Herrick school districts against actions by the Illinois State Board of Education and Illinois State Superintendent of Education Carmen Ayala.

The emergency order by Judge Jeffrey DeLong restores the Beecher City and Cowden-Herrick school district's recognition status to "fully recognized", and enjoins ISBE and Dr. Ayala from altering the districts' recognition status.

ISBE had removed the districts "fully recognized" status after the school boards of the districts declined to require district students to mask up.

Judge DeLong explained in his ruling that the restoration of "fully recognized" status is restored until the Court has held a preliminary injunction hearing and ruled on the Districts' request for a preliminary injunction.