First off, I hope everyone had a great 4th of July and was able to safely and joyfully celebrate our great Nation.
Two big items to share:
1) Three health rights forms are available on the website; they were updated today with viral testing verbiage added:
Submit these forms to ALL agents of the school/activity where your child is enrolled to preserve their state and federal constitutional rights. You may mail in signed copies but also send electronic copies to confirm receipt and digital documentation.
For schools, send copies to the district superintendent, school board president, principal, school nurse, and also email a signed copy (take a clear photo on mobile device if not able to scan) to ISBE Chair Darren Reisberg dreisber@isbe.net
For activities, send to program administrator and the coaches/activity leader.
2) FOIA discovery of IPSD 204 Superintendent Adrian Talley emails highlight the antagonistic and weak leadership of three large IL public school districts including Naperville 203 and Wheaton 200:
Follow the Timeline:
May 6, 20201: Superintendent Coalition Letter to ISBE:
June 16, 2021: D204 Sup. Talley, D203 Sup. Bridges, and D200 Sup. Schuler give remarks to ISBE asking for guidance regarding 2021-2022 school year. Final public comment was also given by Awake IL President, Shannon Adcock regarding the IL Admin. Code that affirms ISBE cannot force, reward, or threaten school boards regarding adoption of any ISBE guidance policy their school year plans; local school boards have autonomy per their role as elected members serving in trust for the community.
To view ISBE Meeting: click here. Video will play once you register.
Schuler remarks @ 6:28
Bridges remarks @ 10:38
Talley remarks @ 15:50
Awake IL President remarks @ 30:57
June 17, 2021: Emails between above Superintendents reference a Wheaton board member being affiliated with “Awake IL” and questionable leadership when Sup. Talley remarks:
“Once districts start doing what [warsaw district] has done [mask optional, no discrimination by vaxx status], creates a problem for all of us.”
-Obtained via June 24th FOIA request fulfillment
Talley forwarded an email to the supers that included an email from a parent where the 204 board President used words “legal counsel”. “Counsel” was one of the FOIA request queries. Had Talley not forwarded the email thread, we never would have seen this exchange. It was basically a perfect accident:
One of the emails:
June 22, 2021: Second Superintendent Coalition Letter
As of this blog post, Awake IL has not heard any response to our numerous inquiries. The burden of proof is on these superintendents and ISBE to provide clear and constitutional solutions that will serve the best interests of our children. The clock is ticking.
Parents: Please use the forms to protect your child's health rights. Also, feel free to cite any sources shared in Awake IL templates if you are drafting your own letters. The dominos are falling on the failed leadership. Keep speaking up at board meetings, call said leadership, and keep the pressure on to effect change.
We are Awake IL and they can't cancel us.
-Shannon