Kendall County Times

Parkview Christian Academy Board President Jed Davis recently spoke on "Chicago's Morning Answer" radio show with hosts Dan Proft and Amy Jacobson about the school's decision not to mandate the wearing of protective masks.

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker recently filed a lawsuit against the Kendall County private school for the decision, Proft explained at the opening of the show.

"We're not anti-mask or anti-face coverings, but we're really pro-parent-choice," Davis said on the broadcast. "Our parents are loud and clear on that front. We really want that decision to be in the hands of them, which I think is where it rightfully belongs."

PCA Board President Jed Davis | YouTube

Davis said the Yorkville school has approximately 330 students in Pre-K through 12th grades. The school plans to be back in session full-time later this month.

"At the end of the day, you're looking at less than 1% contracting COVID in Kendall County at a death rate of 0.18," Davis said. "So, even by the state's own definition . . . there is no public health emergency in Kendall County, which allows us, in our legal opinion, freedom to implement our own guidelines from a safety and health perspective."

Davis said teachers have been overwhelmingly supportive of the school's actions and are anxious to get back in their classrooms. He also said the decision not to follow the mask mandate came from parents.

"We talked to all of our parents and there were really like five things they were looking for for a return to school," Davis said. "One of them was the option of whether or not to wear a mask."

Davis said if the school loses to Pritzker in its current court battle, the other goals from parents will still exist.

"We're very confident in that regard that parents are dedicated to the mission," Davis said. "That being said, we're willing to push this to the furthest extent possible through our legal representation because there is a larger issue at play. Regardless of the outcome of the TRO (temporary restraining order), which I pray goes in our favor, we will continue to push this forward through the courts."