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Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker is planning to close the state’s schools for in-person instruction through the end of the academic year because of the coronavirus, sources told the Chicago Sun-Times.

The governor and his team have worked through the details of the extended closures this week and will announce the decision Friday afternoon, sources said.

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is fully on board with the move but isn’t expected to attend the news conference with the governor because of scheduling conflicts, sources said. Lightfoot on Thursday hinted strongly that the decision was coming but said it was up to Pritzker and she would like to be part of that discussion.

Pritzker’s original stay-at-home order was to expire April 7. He already has extended it once — until April 30 — and has hinted for days about a second extension deep into May.

* The Question: Agree or disagree? Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please…

bike trails

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Apr 17, 20 @ 12:58 pm

Comments

It was inevitable as soon as other Governors started doing it.

Comment by Ok Friday, Apr 17, 20 @ 1:00 pm
Having watched my 10 year old for the past month, no way could he attend school and successfully social distance from other kids.

Comment by mjrothjr Friday, Apr 17, 20 @ 1:00 pm
One of the biggest issues to overcome would be school buses. You can’t social distance on those unless you are going to exponentially increase the number of buses picking kids up in order to keep them spread out.

Comment by Demoralized Friday, Apr 17, 20 @ 1:01 pm
not open the door to start schools early in the upcoming year ? if possible? sort of a make up

Comment by why Friday, Apr 17, 20 @ 1:02 pm
Based on the data we’re seeing and the new federal guidance, this is the right call.

However, the regular Chicago school year extends well into June, so maybe giving CPS the flexibility to re-open after Memorial Day might make sense.

Comment by Telly Friday, Apr 17, 20 @ 1:02 pm
===start schools early in the upcoming year ?===

Wait to hear what he says before pouncing on it.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Apr 17, 20 @ 1:04 pm
There is one imperative: defeat the virus.

Everything else is subservient, no matter how important.

Half-a**ing it has resulted in a lot of dead Americans.

We need total war.

Comment by Moe Berg Friday, Apr 17, 20 @ 1:05 pm
I agree with the move. As a teacher, I do not want to go back before there is a solid plan for everyone to be safe. In my school we cram 25-20 students in really small classrooms with simply no way to have decent social distance. Not to mention 300-400 packed at a time in a cafeteria.

Comment by DG53 Friday, Apr 17, 20 @ 1:07 pm
Yes. I doubt it will be safe for students to gather in large groups for many weeks to come.

Comment by Wensicia Friday, Apr 17, 20 @ 1:08 pm
Agree, there really needs to be a comprehensive plan on out to proceed. Caution should be the watchword.

Comment by What's in a Name? Friday, Apr 17, 20 @ 1:11 pm
I agree but the move should come with some substantive effort by ISBE to set standards for schools to use in remote learning. Not a surprise but it’s incredibly difficult to get high school boys to participate in remote learning activities if they don’t think there will be any negative impact on their records.

Comment by Out Here In The Middle Friday, Apr 17, 20 @ 1:12 pm
I agree both because it is the right public health call and it allows folks to plan. While I am not excited about another month and a half of home schooling, but at least we now know what to expect through the beginning of the summer and can set ourselves up accordingly.

Comment by Montrose Friday, Apr 17, 20 @ 1:18 pm
Disagree with the extended Stay at Home, Downstate does not have the same results as Chicago. Our hospitals are not being overran. I have heard that OSF is laying off Nurses because they don’t have the patients they expected to have. Let the local governments make the decision
Whether we like it or not, we are going to have to live with this virus for a long time, a vaccine will not be out for years. We need to get back to normal and get people back to work.

Comment by Retired and Loving it Friday, Apr 17, 20 @ 1:19 pm
No-brainer. Some teachers I know are actually grading work now online, so it’s working, and I think it can reasonably continue this way through the end of next month. I also think it would be more chaotic to come back to school after more than a month off, so this seems like the best path to go.

Comment by RDB Friday, Apr 17, 20 @ 1:22 pm
==We need to get back to normal and get people back to work.==

Everybody knows this virus isn’t going away but opening up right in the middle of the crisis isn’t the smartest thing to do. As I said in previous days, don’t you geniuses think that if you opened everything up in your necks of the woods that it might, just might, be possible that someone from a more infected area might, say, stop in one of your restaurants, spread the virus, and then the virus fire starts in your area.

The virus doesn’t know boundaries. Saying we don’t have it bad now doesn’t mean it couldn’t get bad if you open things up too early.

Comment by Demoralized Friday, Apr 17, 20 @ 1:24 pm
As crazymaking as homeschooling is, as long as the virus is still out there, I don’t want my little germ sponge going back into school and bringing it home with him.

Comment by LakeCo Friday, Apr 17, 20 @ 1:29 pm
Agree. Let Denmark turn their kids into guinea pigs. We can wait.

https://www.npr.org/2020/04/15/834746398/denmark-reopens-some-schools-but-not-everyone-is-pleased

Comment by Anon221 Friday, Apr 17, 20 @ 1:29 pm
= Downstate does not have the same results as Chicago. Our hospitals are not being overran.=

Yet.

Comment by LakeCo Friday, Apr 17, 20 @ 1:34 pm
This is a giveaway to the teachers unions pure and simple not a considered public health measure. Put masks on the kids and teach them the civics lesson of trying to socially distance as best as possible. This would be a lot easier to swallow if e-learning weren’t a complete joke, and pay cuts were required of teachers and administrators that most are facing in the private sector. Some animals are more equal than others.

Comment by Animal Farm Friday, Apr 17, 20 @ 1:34 pm
Good decision. Until we hit herd immunity through vaccination or a slow-moving infection that hits most of us, we should not open.

If we do, we are literally inviting disaster.

Comment by Progressive Guy Friday, Apr 17, 20 @ 1:37 pm
I disagree. I get the health concerns and I think there can be protocols. But I come at this as a parent of a child with special needs who’s therapy facilities ties schedule to that of the schools. This has been devastating to those kids, setting back all of their hard work.

Comment by Anon Friday, Apr 17, 20 @ 1:39 pm
Agree- Common Sense

Comment by Red Ketcher Friday, Apr 17, 20 @ 1:39 pm
===This is a giveaway to the teachers unions pure and simple===

Another Covidiot heard from.

Comment by PublicServant Friday, Apr 17, 20 @ 1:41 pm
Agree. Not what everyone wants, but then again, no one asked for this disease either. If ever a group to not comply with social distancing and keeping a mask on their face, it’s kids. Less chance of them becoming dangerously sick, but they carry home to parents and relatives, who are much greater risk. We have to keep learning and adjusting. For now, the right call.

Comment by Ano Friday, Apr 17, 20 @ 1:44 pm
The guidelines from Washington yesterday were what we need. We now know the conditions that need to exist to support schools, activities, and gatherings. We know we won’t be where we need to be by the end of the school year so making the call now makes sense.

Comment by Pundent Friday, Apr 17, 20 @ 1:44 pm
=== teachers unions===

It’s a pandemic.

If you’re going to mouth breathe, please, wear a mask.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Apr 17, 20 @ 1:45 pm
I think there would be a lot absences (student/staff) if they opened schools up without a well-crafted plan that keeps everyone safe. Furthermore the strategy needs to pass the test of the OSHA Act of 1970: each employer shall furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees.

Comment by Diver Down Friday, Apr 17, 20 @ 1:45 pm
==Downstate does not have the same results as Chicago . . . .==

Want to keep it that way? Stay closed, stay home. Think rural areas are immune? Ask the genius governor of South Dakota how that’s working for her.

Comment by Flapdoodle Friday, Apr 17, 20 @ 1:45 pm
Good move. Been teaching HS Social Studies remotely for several weeks now and it works. It’s not ideal, but it works.

Comment by Lt Guv Friday, Apr 17, 20 @ 1:47 pm
Yes, we must. We are at the plateau phase. We need to reduce cases and have as many safety measures in place as we can.

Comment by Grandson of Man Friday, Apr 17, 20 @ 1:47 pm
Agree. Kids aren’t noted for their careful hygiene in the best of times. There’s no way they can be expected to self-regulate sufficiently to prevent spread of the disease through school. We’re going to have to have better COVID-19 tests and better treatments ready before we herd kids together again to deal with inevitable outbreaks.

Comment by Benjamin Friday, Apr 17, 20 @ 1:50 pm
===Disagree with the extended Stay at Home, Downstate does not have the same results as Chicago. Our hospitals are not being overran. ===

The thing that’s keeping your hospitals from being overrun *is* the stay-at-home order. Going “back to normal” prematurely will kill a of people who don’t have to die.

Comment by Benjamin Friday, Apr 17, 20 @ 1:53 pm
Agree. Packing kids into a building flies in the face of social distancing that is currently the only treatment we have to flatten the curve. Rural areas starting to see more cases which won’t take long to add strain to their medical systems.

Comment by Now What? Friday, Apr 17, 20 @ 1:56 pm
“This is a giveaway to the teachers unions”

Because there is no work it completely reworking your curriculum so you can teach it remotely for the next two months.

Comment by Montrose Friday, Apr 17, 20 @ 2:02 pm
=We need to get back to normal and get people back to work.=

Testing and hopefully treatment are the things that will get us back to normal. And that’s not a regional solution, it applies to the state and country as a whole. It underpins the President’s guidelines yesterday. We know that wide scale testing is likely a couple of months away so absent that it’s hard to see large gatherings, which by definition school is, occurring in the near term.

Comment by Pundent Friday, Apr 17, 20 @ 2:03 pm
No brainer. Close for this year and come up with solutions on how to open next year. School in shifts to reduce total numbers? Procure PPEs? Blended learning? Unlike the federal government which sat on this for months, we can spend the next 3-4 months making plans for different scenarios.

Comment by Proud Papa Bear Friday, Apr 17, 20 @ 2:03 pm
Downstate hospitals not overrun: Of course, a number of counties don’t even have a hospital, and many of the hospitals that do exist don’t have a single ICU bed. It’s not going to take much to overrun them.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Apr 17, 20 @ 2:04 pm
Pritzker should’ve done this sooner. His leadership has been nonexistent during this whole ordeal. Governor Lead From the Back.

Comment by ;) Friday, Apr 17, 20 @ 2:05 pm
I voted agree but they should start on time in the fall. @Progressive Guy- At the current rate of cases it will take 27 years for herd immunity to develop. If you believe those who say there are ten times the number of actual cases as positive tests that is lowered to three years. A vaccine will take 12 months to produce. If the goal to be met is one of those then we should be prepared to live like this until this time next year.

Comment by Han's Solo Cup Friday, Apr 17, 20 @ 2:05 pm
===Downstate does not have the same results as Chicago. Our hospitals are not being overran.===

I would like it to stay that way down here. I also think there is a false sense of security in much of southern IL that this is a “Chicago Problem” or a “City Problem” and we are somehow exempt. We are not.

Maybe we should take a long hard look at at the number of tests that have been performed in southern IL and also explore if our timeline for peaking may be different than that of northern counterparts.

I say err on the side of caution.

Comment by DownSouth Friday, Apr 17, 20 @ 2:07 pm
It is impossible for 20-30 kids in a classroom to socially distance. The rooms are not gymnasiums.

Comment by burbanite Friday, Apr 17, 20 @ 2:11 pm
I don’t think anyone is surprised by this and feel that it had to happen for everyone’s safety.

Comment by Because I said so.... Friday, Apr 17, 20 @ 2:12 pm
Voted agree. Teachers and students are now getting comfortable with distance learning. Why change back for a month (seven weeks for CPS) causing another disruption in this routine which would then go right into finals?

Comment by Proud Sucker Friday, Apr 17, 20 @ 2:12 pm
Agree, no other option under current circumstances.

Comment by SSL Friday, Apr 17, 20 @ 2:18 pm
1. Have the Schools been losing funding since they have been closed.
2. Are teachers still required to do online teaching until the end of the school year?

Comment by Mama Friday, Apr 17, 20 @ 2:21 pm
I understand the decision, and I’ve supported team JB and think they’ve done an outstanding job to date but this leaking before GA members were informed is tiresome. The GOP “we’re coequal branch members” thing sounded trite at first but there’s an information gap that’s widening every day. Less #hashtagging and more communicating please, team.

Comment by Not for Nothing Friday, Apr 17, 20 @ 2:22 pm
I agree with the governor. I know his heart an mind are in the right place. He would not close schools if there was another way.

Comment by Mama Friday, Apr 17, 20 @ 2:22 pm
I couldn’t imagine sending my kids back anytime before July/August and I’m even nervous about that.

Comment by Politix Friday, Apr 17, 20 @ 2:23 pm
I have seen firsthand the impact this remote schooling approach is having on the mental health of both students and teachers. That said, the death of a fellow student or teacher would have a much more devastating impact on their mental health.

Best to wait until it is safe before packing 30 plus kids in a classroom.

Comment by Dance Band on the Titanic Friday, Apr 17, 20 @ 2:26 pm
I agree with cancelling this year. Too many unknowns.

Next fall will be the time of decision. This summer will be a time to develop remote learning abilities.

At some point we may have to accept more risk. Too early to decide that.

Comment by Last Bull Moose Friday, Apr 17, 20 @ 2:36 pm
When rural areas boast about their low number of infections, a good part of it is (now) keeping them from leaving their areas and others not coming into their areas. If your town’s pretty much normal state is isolation, then it works for you. Heaven forbid someone leaves and returns, like to their job, or on a trip……. bringing it back. Just common sense that less interactive places would have lower numbers. Just keep it less interactive or else youll see numbers like elsewhere.

Comment by Ano Friday, Apr 17, 20 @ 2:36 pm
Wanted to wait until 2:30 and hear all the governor had to say.

I voted “Agree”

It’s critical right now for e-learning to fill the “equivalent” learning since we can’t have the same learning as in-person schools.

The psychological of a student or teacher infecting classmates or staff, that, for me in my vote, factored in as Dr. Birx told of her own family story, with the death of family brought on by attending school in 1918.

The e-learning mechanism is really important, glad that it will continuing.

This isn’t the end of learning, it’s the end of wondering what’s next.

I voted “agree”. It’s the smart and safe choice.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Apr 17, 20 @ 2:39 pm
I voted agree with JB. Based upon class sizes , lunch rooms, etc. it is impossible for school kids to social distance 6′ apart.

Comment by pool boy Friday, Apr 17, 20 @ 2:40 pm
Voted agree. I wouldn’t have sent my kids back to school this year if they’d re-opened and frankly, unless there are some drastic developments, they may end up being home-schooled in the fall too.

Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Friday, Apr 17, 20 @ 2:51 pm
I agreed with JB’s decision because it would have caused many deaths. It would be better to talk about the missed proms and graduation events in the future, than talk about one’s friends who died as result of returning to school.

Comment by Fishingvest Friday, Apr 17, 20 @ 3:20 pm