Racine Sun

Multiple judge rulings and court decisions concerning Racine, its COVID-19 ordinances and its school district, have caused questioning of the courts.  

The Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled against public health officer Dottie Kay Bowersox and ruled she exceeded her authority in shutting down Racine schools in November 2020. Conversely the court declined to hear a case for holding her in contempt of court. 

"Dottie Bowersox and the council can offer advice, but that’s where it’s got to stop," petitioner George Meyers said. 

Wisconsin Supreme Court | wicourts.gov

Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Rebecca Dallet concurred with the court's contempt of court ruling. 

“Nowhere in Bowersox's briefs, motions, letters or other filings with the court has she suggested that ‘a local ordinance can override state law,'" Justice Dallet said. "Nor did Bowersox — or anyone else — attempt to enforce the Nov. 12, 2020 school closure order after we enjoined that order. Only by reshaping the facts of this case can the separate writings conclude that Bowersox should be held in contempt, or that a contempt hearing is even necessary.”

The court ruled against Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty and parents of the schools who wanted to sue Bowersox and hold her in contempt, but the judge ruled against this since Bowersox never overstepped the injunction placed on her. There are many unanswered questions and cases on which the Supreme Court has not remarked. The issue is viewed as revealing a divide on the Wisconsin Supreme Court.