Diocese of Joliet Catholic schools to require masks

Gov. J.B. Pritzker today announced a mask mandate for all PreK-12 school students and staff. During the 2020-21 academic year, Diocese of Joliet Catholic schools followed scientific mitigation guidelines offered by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Illinois Department of Public Health and recommended by the Illinois State Board of Education. These efforts allowed our schools to successfully conduct in-person learning with masks.

The safety of our students remains a top priority, along with providing academic excellence guided by Catholic values. To comply with the mandate, we will require masks for all students, teachers, staff and visitors in our Catholic schools. We pray for those affected by the coronavirus, and we pray for an end to this pandemic.