* You want the taxpayer money for covid-related absences, then get the shot. Simple. This “some say” article is trying way too hard to obfuscate the issue…

A measure some say codifies a vaccine mandate for teachers if they want open-ended administrative leave for COVID-related issues passed the Illinois House.

State Rep. Janet Yang Rohr, D-Naperville, said her measure, House Bill 1167, is similar to a previous measure that passed both chambers with overwhelming bipartisan support last year, but was vetoed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

Like the vetoed measure, Rohr’s bill gives administrative leave rather than sick time to staff for COVID-issues, and guarantees pay for school staff if there are emergency closures in schools. There’s one difference.

“It structures this bill as an incentive so that teachers and staff need to be vaccinated within five weeks of the bill signing in order to receive the benefits of the administrative days,” Rohr said.

But, Republicans, like State Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer, R-Jacksonville, who supported the measure Pritzker vetoed, said the measure is discriminatory, and the first vote the state legislature is taking on a Pritzker mandate.

It’s an incentive no matter what “some say.” Sheesh.

* Same outlet…

[Rep. Blaine Wilhour, R-Beecher City] and other Republicans continued Tuesday to refuse to wear masks in the Illinois House, despite the House Rules requiring face coverings. Democrats voted to eject the group, as they’ve done several times since members returned last month. Ejected members were allowed to participate remotely.

* More on the ejection from the Sun-Times…

“The motion is to enforce the rules. You can repeat the same thing over and over again. You can throw insults day and night and throw tantrums because that’s what you’re doing,” [Rep. Lakesia Collins, D-Chicago] said. “If you were serious about doing the work, you would show up with your mask on. But instead you would rather waste our time.”

Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch announced Monday that the House gallery would be open again to members of the public at 50% capacity, and clergy and pages would be allowed on the House floor, but the Hillside Democrat didn’t budge on the mask requirement.

“As the House enters third reading deadline week, members and staff will spend a significant amount of time in close proximity with one another on the House floor. For this reason, as well as several counties throughout the state still showing a high risk for transmission, masks will still be required,” read the statement from the Speaker’s office.

House Democrats went by the rules, not the new CDC guidance, voting to remove the three maskless Republicans.

Niemerg and Caulkins left the floor quickly after the resolution passed, but Wilhour refused, even after the voting switch at his desk had been turned off.

* Full Welch press release…

Amid an ongoing decline of COVID-19 hospitalizations, House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch announced on Monday that the House Chamber is relaxing some of the mitigations that were necessary during the height of the pandemic. The gallery will be open to members of the public at 50% capacity and outside visitors, such as clergy and pages, will be allowed on the floor.

“It has been a very long two years and I’m incredibly grateful for the diligence of members and staff in the Capitol,” said Speaker Welch. “We are all eager to get back to a sense of normalcy as we also work to maintain a healthy and safe environment for everyone.”

As the House enters third reading deadline week, members and staff will spend a significant amount of time in close proximity with one another on the House floor. For this reason, as well as several counties throughout the state still showing a high risk for transmission, masks will still be required. Per Secretary of State guidance, all individuals are recommended to wear a face covering in the Capitol Complex buildings as well.

“We have staff members who test positive every week through the mandatory SHIELD testing,” said Speaker Welch. “When they test positive, not only are they out of the workplace for a week, but so is anyone that they’ve come in contact with.

Additionally, we have members, staff and their family members who remain at an increased risk of getting seriously ill if they contract the virus or are unable to be vaccinated. We need to get our work done before adjournment and take necessary steps to keep everyone safe.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Sangamon County is currently classified as medium risk for transmission. The Capitol draws individuals from all across Illinois and masks are a proven tool to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 in congregate settings like the House floor.

The Office of the Speaker will continue to closely monitor transmission levels and protocols may be revised in the future.

The limit on the number of reporters who can be in the two press boxes at the same time has also been lifted.

…Adding… I forgot about this Aurora Beacon-News story…

Across the river at District 129, West Aurora Superintendent Jeff Craig also noticed “an interesting dynamic taking place.”

In the elementary schools, a little over 50% of staff and students are still masked, a number that is on the decline, he said, perhaps because the little ones are following the lead of their teachers, most of whom are vaccinated and getting more comfortable without the face coverings.

At the middle school, the number of staff and kids still in masks jumps to a whopping 85%, Craig added, and at the high school it’s about 75% but with “close to 90% having them on and pulling them up” when in situations of close proximity.

Which, Craig noted, “when you think about it, is where we should all be.”