Governor Announces COVID-19 Vaccine/Testing Requirement for School Employees & Statewide Indoor Mask Mandate

By August 26, 2021News

Today, Governor Pritzker announced a requirement that all P-12 school teachers and staff (and certain other groups) in Illinois be vaccinated for COVID-19. Effective September 5, those who are “unable or unwilling” to get vaccinated are to be COVID tested at least once per week.

The Governor also announced a new statewide indoor mask requirement, effective Monday, August 30. This requirement will apply to all, regardless of vaccination status.

Presumably this announcement will be followed by a new Executive Order from the Governor, and we will continue to monitor for that to be posted.

To comply with this new requirement, schools will need to communicate with their employees and unions and determine how testing will be coordinated or confirmed for those employees who are unable or unwilling to be vaccinated.

Contact your Labor/Personnel attorney with any questions about implementation.