Southern Illinois News

Veteran state Sen. Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) is sponsoring legislation she says is as a step forward for parents who want to be part of the decision-making process when it comes to health and school mandates for their children.

“This legislation seeks to preserve a parents’ decision-making authority regarding their child’s education and healthcare,” Bryant posted on Facebook of the Senate Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment (SJRCA 12) she recently filed. “Throughout this pandemic, we’ve seen countless examples of the government’s disregard for the rights of Illinois parents. Enough is enough. Parents have a right to be involved and to have a say in the education and wellbeing of their child.”

SJRCA 12 seeks to add a new section to the Illinois Bill of Rights, asserting that parents have the right to determine their child’s education and healthcare needs related to COVID-19 without interference up until the time that the child attains the age of majority.

Republicans have long blasted what they deem as the governor’s go-it-alone handling of the pandemic, including him recently reimposing a universal masking mandate for all public and private school students that also applies to all teachers and other staffers.

“Throughout this entire pandemic, the governor has continued to exclude other lawmakers, local leaders and parents in his pandemic response,” Bryant said. “SJRCA 12 is a proactive step to put an end to his ongoing record of overstepping his authority, and to take a stand against any future attempts to cut parents out of decisions impacting the health, future and wellbeing of their children.”

SJRCA 12 was filed on Aug. 31, around the same time that schools across the state were set to reopen for in-person learning.