BALSAM LAKE, WI (WSAU) – A conservative legal group is asking a judge to order an immediate end to Governor Tony Ever’s mask mandate.
The Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty (WILL) argued in front of a Polk County judge that the current emergency order is illegal.
The lawsuit says the Governor’s initial emergency order, issued last spring, was struck down by the state Supreme Court. Evers has since issued two other emergency orders requiring people to wear masks in public. Emergency orders expire after 60 days unless they are extended by the legislature. The WILL lawsuit says the emergency orders are unconstitutional, because they cover the same emergency — the COVID-19 pandemic in Wisconsin.
The Evers Administration says the most recent order is separate, covering the spread of COVID among 18-24 year olds and on college campuses. The latest extension requires everyone to wear face coverings through November 22.
Whatever ruling is issued by the circuit court is likely to be appealed.