Hearing on Suit by Beecher City, Cowden-Herrick School Districts Against ISBE, Ayala Continued

A hearing scheduled for Monday in the suit brought against Illinois State Board of Education Superintendent Carmen Ayala by the Beecher City, Cowden-Herrick and Red Hill Boards of Education was continued.

Judge Jeffrey DeLong ruled Monday that the late filing of a response by the State to the suit required a postponement of the Monday hearing. The hearing on a preliminary injunction against the State is now set for 10am on November 17. In the meantime, Judge DeLong said a Temporary Restraining Order against the State Board of Education and Dr. Ayala remains in effect. 

The emergency TRO granted by Judge DeLong last month restored the Beecher City and Cowden-Herrick school districts' recognition status to "fully recognized", and enjoined 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.