Three more Illinois public school districts have opted to make masking optional within their school areas in December 2021, according to the latest record published by Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker required universal masking at all schools through an executive order last fall. ISBE superintendent Carmen Ayala has said disobedient schools could lose state funding and sports participation rights. The three schools are Vandalia Community Unit School District, St. Anne Grade School District, and Brownstown Community Unit School District in downstate Illinois. Seven public school districts and eight private schools defy the mask mandate, according to state records and attorneys who have knowledge of the matter. Vandalia district started to make masking optional on Dec. 6, 2021, following a unanimous vote by the local school board. The board carefully evaluated the current COVID-19 situation—and the availability of testing, treatment, and vaccination options before the vote—according …