Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s office announced on July 13 that colleges and universities across the state can drop COVID-19 vaccine mandates for staff and students.
However, the vaccine mandates for K-12 students and day care facilities will remain intact, according to a statement from Pritzker, a Democrat.
“Vaccine mandates for higher education employees and students and emergency medical service providers will not be reissued,” the governor said in a statement on modified orders Wednesday. “Vaccination mandates will remain in place in K-12 schools, daycares. … School and daycare-aged children have much lower rates of vaccination than the general public and have less ability to consistently and safely mask. In addition, outbreaks at schools threaten the ability to continue with in-person learning and the developmental benefits it provides….