Illinois Still Hasn’t Dropped Its Mask Mandate for Driver Tests

Did You Know? Illinois Secretary of State’s Office Still Requires Masks for Driver’s Tests

Protecting Health or Overreach?

Even though the statewide mask mandate ended over 400 days ago, the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office still requires face coverings for driver’s tests. State Rep. Jed Davis, R-Newark, recently discovered this requirement after a 16-year-old in his district was denied a driver’s license for refusing to wear a mask or shield during her driver’s test.

Davis called the Secretary of State’s Office and confirmed the policy exists. However, when he requested the written policy, he was told it was unavailable because it’s an internal policy. Davis, a member of the Illinois Freedom Caucus, is now asking the head of the agency, Alexi Giannoulias, to remove the mask requirement at driver facilities throughout the state.

Excessive and Dangerous?

The Illinois Freedom Caucus argues that requiring drivers to wear masks during a driving test is excessive and dangerous. They point out that few, if any, drivers will be wearing masks when they are behind the wheel of a car. Young drivers, in particular, have not worn masks during practice sessions, and it is not fair to require them to wear one when they have never had to wear one before taking the test.

The Caucus sent a letter to Giannoulias stating, “It is one thing for a Secretary of State employee to make an individual choice to wear a mask while administering a driving test, but it is quite another to require the person taking the test to wear a mask, especially when there is no justifiable reason to do so.”

Protocol or Insanity?

The Secretary of State’s Office issued a statement saying the policy would remain in place until May 11. They claim that throughout the pandemic, they have implemented protocols to protect the health and safety of employees and residents of Illinois. However, Davis questions why the Secretary of State’s Office is implementing their own health criteria when they are not a health agency. He calls it “pure insanity.”

What Do You Think?

Do you think the mask requirement for driver’s tests is excessive and dangerous, or is it a necessary protocol to protect the health and safety of employees and residents of Illinois? Share your thoughts in the comments below.