Mask-Off Rally, Meetup Set For Tuesday Across From LW Central HS

NEW LENOX, IL — A rally and meetup for Lincoln-way parents who oppose the state's universal school masking guidelines will be held from 5-6:30 p.m. outside Lincoln-Way High School in New Lenox on U.S. Route 30.

The Mask-Off Lincoln-Way Area Schools Rally and Meetup is widely being promoted on multiple Facebook pages. One of the event organizers, Frankie Pretzel, told Patch that the purpose of the rally is for parents to be able to meet and strategize about options for their children, with many schools scheduled to begin classes in the coming weeks.

Though Pretzel, a New Lenox resident, sits on the Will County Board, he stressed that he is helping to organize the rally as a parent and not as an elected official.

"We do not want this to be political," Pretzel said. "We are not trying to beat up on any school, administration or school board members. It's not even a protest. It's a meetup and rally. So, we're just trying to create awareness."

Related: Vaccines Mandatory For Some State Workers, School Masks Required

He added that he plans to send his two daughters to school without a mask. He said that his daughters experience anxiety related to mask wearing because of fears of high levels of carbon dioxide.

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker announced Aug. 4 that all schools and daycares across the state would be required to have all students, faculty and staff wear masks while indoors. The mandate came as Will County was placed into the "high" transmission of coronavirus category Aug. 3.

Prior to the latest mandate, the State had planned to leave mask policies at the discretion of individual school districts.

Pretzel said the goal is not to challenge school boards' compliance with the mandate; rather, the focus is on having an event where like-minded parents of school children can come together to share ideas and strategies for the upcoming school year.

"I'm not saying [students] shouldn't wear a mask. I fully support any parent that wants to send their children to school in a mask," he said. "But, it's a decision that should be left up to the parents."

He added that he has been a strong advocate of vaccinations for COVID-19 for adults, but expressed concern about the use of vaccinations in children.

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