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Starting Monday, students, teachers and staff at Chicago Public Schools do not have to wear masks

By FOX 32 Digital Staff
Published  March 13, 2022 3:19pm CDT
Chicago Public Schools
FOX 32 Chicago

CPS parents rally to keep universal mask policy

A group of Chicago Public Schools employees are asking a judge to stop the district from enforcing its policy requiring staff members to get vaccinated or undergo weekly testing.

CHICAGO - Chicago Public Schools students, teachers and staff can leave the masks at home starting on Monday.

CPS CEO Pedro Martinez announced the end of mask requirements in Chicago schools last week.

But the Chicago Teachers Union is fighting the mask-optional rules. The union said that the change violates the safety agreement made with teachers in January.

Chicago Public Schools offered these statistics about COVID-19 vaccinations among students and staff when making the announcement about masks:

  • 64% of CPS students age 12-17 have had at least a first dose, compared to 68% nationally
  • 47% of CPS students age 5-11 have had at least a first dose, compared to 33% nationally
  • 56% of age-eligible CPS students have received at least one dose, and 49% are fully vaccinated
  • More than 91% of all CPS staff members are fully vaccinated

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