School Health Guidance
This page contains links to updated COVID-19 school health guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Illinois Governor's Office, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH).
Revised Public Health Guidance for Schools
ISBE and IDPH issue revised public health guidance for schools, along with updated COVID-19 school guidance FAQs. Both documents are issued on Sept. 21, 2021.
- Link to Updated ISBE/IDPH Revised Public Health Guidance for Schools: Part 5 — Supporting the Full Return to In-Person Learning For All Students (PDF)
- Link to Updated IDPH/ISBE Frequently Asked Questions for Schools — Additional Guidance as of Sept. 21, 2021 (PDF)
Vaccination Requirements for School Personnel
Gov. Pritzker's Executive Order 2021-20 (issued Aug. 26, 2021) specifies vaccination requirements for all PK-12 school personnel.
Indoor Mask Mandate for PK-12 Schools
Gov. Pritzker's Executive Order 2021-18 (issued Aug. 4, 2021) requires masks in all PK-12 schools while indoors, including athletics and extracurriculars:
- Link to Executive Order Number 18 (Web)
- Link to Follow-Up Guidance on Mask Mandate (Web — Robbins Schwartz Law Firm)
Archive of Guidance Updates Since July 2021
ISBE/IDPH Revised Guidance for Schools |
Updated Sept. 21, 2021 |
ISBE and IDPH publish updated version of "Revised Public Health Guidance for Schools: Part 5 — Supporting the Full Return to In-Person Learning of For All Students":
IDPH/ISBE Public Health Guidance FAQs |
Updated Sept. 21, 2021 |
IDPH and ISBE update their COVID-19 School Guidance FAQs as of Sept. 21, 2021:
- Link to IDPH/ISBE Updated Public Health Guidance FAQs for Schools (PDF)
- Link to IDPH/ISBE Updated Public Health Guidance FAQs for Schools (Web)
Illinois Executive Order 2021-20 |
Issued Aug. 26, 2021 |
Gov. Pritzker issues vaccination requirements for all PK-12 school personnel.
ISBE Enforcement of Indoor Mask Mandate |
Published Aug. 11, 2021 |
State Superintendent of Education Dr. Carmen I. Ayala informs superintendents that ISBE will enforce Gov. Pritzker's universal indoor masking requirement without exception:
"(N)oncompliance is not an option. I will not compromise the health and safety of students or staff, nor will I risk even one child’s life. Local boards of education, schools, and school districts do not have the authority to deny the Governor’s Executive Order requiring universal indoor masking in schools. I strongly recommend that each district consult with its legal counsel and insurer to fully understand the repercussions."
ISBE/IDPH Revised Guidance for Schools |
Published Aug. 9, 2021 |
ISBE and IDPH publish "Revised Public Health Guidance for Schools: Part 5 — Supporting the Full Return to In-Person Learning of For All Students":
IDPH/ISBE Public Health Guidance FAQs |
Updated Aug. 9, 2021 |
IDPH and ISBE update their Public Health Guidance FAQs to reflect revised CDC Guidance for COVID-19 Prevention in K-12 Schools and Illinois Executive Order 2021-18:
- Link to IDPH/ISBE Updated Public Health Guidance FAQs for Schools (PDF)
- Link to IDPH/ISBE Updated Public Health Guidance FAQs for Schools (Web)
CDC Guidance for K-12 |
Updated Aug. 5, 2021 |
CDC updates its Guidance for COVID-19 Prevention in K-12 Schools:
Illinois Executive Order 2021-18 |
Issued Aug. 4, 2021 |
Governor Pritzker requires masks in all PK-12 schools while indoors, including athletics and extracurriculars:
- Link to Executive Order Number 18 (Web)
- Link to Follow-Up Guidance on Mask Mandate (Web — Robbins Schwartz Law Firm)
CCDPH Guidance for Suburban School Districts |
Issued July 28, 2021 |
CCDPH updates its Public Health Guidance for Suburban Cook County School Districts, including vaccination, mask use and physical distancing:
IDPH Mask Guidance |
Updated July 27, 2021 |
IDPH announces that Illinois fully aligns with new CDC masking recommendations:
CDC Mask Guidance |
Updated July 27, 2021 |
CDC updates its mask guidance, recommending universal indoor masking for all teachers, staff, students and visitors to schools, regardless of vaccination status: