Chicago Public School Teacher

My name is Yalila Assria-Herrera. I’m a Chicago Public School teacher of 26 years.

On 2.4.22 a court ruling by an Illinois Judge stated that Illinois governor Pritzker, ISBE, IDPH and schools do not have the authority to enforce masks. Tom DeVore was the attorney for an Illinois lawsuit with 145 school districts representing 711 students. To date, 521 Illinois school districts have gone mask optional since that court ruling, this is above the original 145 school districts represented in the lawsuit. School districts realized that the lawful ruling from the Illinois Judge meant that the governor’s 2nd mask mandate that started 8.30.21 was a policy guideline, not legally enforceable.

In accordance with the Illinois court ruling, I went to my classroom in Chicago to teach, without a mask. I was removed from my classroom on the 2nd day for not wearing a mask. I’ve been placed on leave by the Chicago Public Schools.

I love to teach, care deeply about my students. I want to return to my classroom, and I want to be able to breathe freely without a mask. I would like to share my story on your show.