Illinoisans that have been fighting for unmasking kids in school for the last two years are feeling a momentum that they have been wanting for some time. 

Two weeks ago, a Sangamon County judge ruled in favor of a lawsuit of numerous Illinois School districts to overturn the mask mandate in Illinois schools. That ruling came as a great relief to Clinton Schools Superintendent Curt Nettles who says the district's attorney told him this was the chance to go mask-optional.

The decision was predictably challenged by the Illinois Attorney General at the direction of Illinois Governor JB Pritzker. At the Tuesday night Clinton Board of Education meeting, Nettles made it clear he has no intention to reverse course at this point.

Tuesday, the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules issued a 9-0-2 vote to block the Governor from imposing a further mask mandate on Illinois schools. Nettles says it feels like there is finally momentum on their side.

If COVID trends remain the way they did the last few years, Nettles does not foresee a scenario where kids are masked heading into the next school year nor does he foresee a vaccine mandate for kids to attend school next year.