illinois schools

While the debate over whether to reopen schools continues nationwide, new research suggests in-person learning at elementary schools may be safer than classroom instruction for older students. According to a study from Iceland published in the New England Journal of Medicine, the infection rate for children under 10 is 6.7 percent, while for those over 10 years old, the infection…

As more young children prepare to return to pre-school and elementary school, health experts weigh in on their opinions. NBC 5’s Charlie Wojciechowski reports.

Chicago Public Schools and Mayor Lori Lightfoot on Friday announced a draft framework for a plan to reopen schools in the fall as the coronavirus pandemic continues – asking for community input before making any final decisions. Under the framework, both half and full day pre-K programs will learn at school, while students in kindergarten through 10th grade would operate…

Rumors that Gov. J.B. Pritzker is expected to announce a return to remote learning for the fall are “false,” according to Illinois’ superintendent of education. “We are aware of a rumor circulating about the possibility of Governor Pritzker announcing at a press conference [Friday] a return to fully remote learning for the fall,” Dr. Carmen I. Ayala wrote in...

Gov. J.B. Pritzker took the unusual step Thursday of preemptively filing a lawsuit to ensure school children wear face coverings to prevent the spread of the coronavirus when schools reopen in a few weeks.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Wednesday announced that Illinois would be divided from four into 11 separate regions to better tailor the coronavirus mitigation efforts to each area across the state.

Several Illinois school districts have released their reopening plans for the fall, with new options and public health guidance as the coronavirus pandemic continues. Here’s a look at some of the plans laid out by districts in the Chicago area, many looking to return to in-person instruction in some form for the first time since March.

Two west suburban school districts released their respective reopening plans Monday, both offering students and their families multiple options for in-person or remote learning as the coronavirus pandemic continues.

Indian Prairie School District 204, the state’s fourth largest, announced its reopening plan in a letter to the district community Monday evening. The district, which includes the west suburban communities of Aurora, Bolingbrook, Plainfield and Naperville, begins fall classes on Aug. 20 As outlined in the letter from Superintendent Adrian Talley, the plan includes the following options: A/B/C Schedule:...

Despite skyrocketing COVID-19 cases in several states, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos is pushing the Trump plan to fully reopen schools, in person, five days a week. Some districts says they’re not ready and will start at least partially online.

Illinois’ Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed an executive order Thursday allowing limited in-person instructions at both public and private schools this summer. In March, Pritzker ordered all Illinois schools to close amid concerns over the spread of the coronavirus and weeks later, he announced those doors would stay shut for the remainder of the academic year. In accordance with Phase Three...

As Illinois works through its plans for a phased reopening during the coronavirus pandemic, Gov. J.B. Pritzker provided residents with a glimpse at how the state plans to eventually reopen its schools. State schools, which have been closed since mid-March, are continuing to use e-learning programs to help students continue their education, but the governor announced Tuesday that physical...

May 5 briefing: Dr. Ngozi Ezike details latest coronavirus numbers for Illinois.

Illinois school districts should begin preparing for the possibility of using E-Learning practices this coming fall, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said on Sunday. During Sunday’s daily coronavirus press briefing, Pritzker said he was unclear whether Illinois students and teachers would use E-Learning or be physically present in classrooms next school year. “I would prepare for both because it is so...

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker gives his daily coronavirus press briefing after 2,126 new cases of the virus reported in the state.