Beecher City, Cowden-Herrick Districts' TRO Still in Effect Pending Filing by Attorney General's Office

Additional time has been granted the Illinois Attorney General's office to file an answer to a preliminary injunction granted the Red Hill, Cowden-Herrick and Beecher City school districts against the illinois State Board of Education and Illinois State Superintendent of Education Carmen Ayala, but nothing changes regarding a Temporary Restraining Order regarding the school districts' status.

Judge Jeffrey DeLong in October granted an emergency Temporary Restraining Order against Ayala and ISBE. The TRO relates to taking away the recognition status of the three districts for not requiring their students to mask up in district buildings.

The emergency TRO granted by Judge DeLong 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.

In court this week, the judge ruled an "unverified answer" from the State as not proper, but granted the AG's office leave to file a verified answer. A hearing on the preliminary injunction is now set for December 3. The judge also ruled that the emergency TRO will remain in effect until the preliminary injunction hearing.