By Blake Haas
BLOOMINGTON – While Coronavirus cases continuing to rise, President Trump is threatening to pull federal funding for school if they don’t open in the fall; however one local lawmaker says it should be up to the schools to make the decision.
Speaking with WJBC Scott Miller, U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Taylorville) said he wants to give school districts the power to make their decision.
“We need to be concerned about a wide variety of issues, especially when it comes to our schools. I hope that we can get to a point where it’s not pulling federal funding because schools won’t open. I know schools are going to do the best they can to deal with outbreaks, the same flexibility that I want to give states to address their own Coronavirus issues without a national plan that would be too bureaucratic and cumbersome. I want local school districts to have that control to be able to make decisions that are best for their families and students.”
While Gov. Pritzker has called for a national mask mandate, Davis added that those who do not wear a facial covering should look at the data and science.
Meanwhile, Davis added that the Coronavirus pandemic has turned more into a political issue rather than a health issue.
“The majority of Americans would still look at it as a health issue. I would hate to see our nation become so polarized that the Coronavirus and your health and anybody else health becomes about being a Republican or Democrat.
Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected].
