North Egypt News

State Sen. Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) is hoping the Senate Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment (SJRCA) legislation she is sponsoring ultimately sends a message to Gov. J.B. Pritzker about COVID-19.

“This legislation seeks to preserve ... parents’ decision-making authority regarding their child’s education and healthcare,” Bryant posted on Facebook. “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.”

Seeking to add a new section to the Illinois Bill of Rights, SJRCA aims to establish that parents have the rights to determine their child’s education and healthcare needs in relationship to the virus without interference up until the time the child attains the age of majority.

Republicans have long been critics of the governor’s go-it-alone approach to dealing with the virus, including his universal masking mandate for all public and private school students, 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.