The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) are distributing 2.5 million free cloth face coverings to public schools around the state. The free masks ensure every child may access the learning opportunities provided by their school, regardless of their ability to purchase a face covering or make one at home. The state has procured 2.5 million cloth masks to equip every student and staff member in all Illinois public schools. ISBE and IEMA have shipped 2.3 million to schools to date. ISBE and IEMA also are distributing face shields that school personnel and students may wear in addition to the cloth masks for increased protection. Providing the free cloth masks reduces the burden on individual school districts to procure PPE and frees up local resources for other expenses. Public schools may request additional PPE following the process outlined at www.isbe.net/Documents/PPE-Info.pdf. Find additional information about COVID-19 and education at www.isbe.net/covid19.