Illinois students will not return to the classroom this term. Governor JB Pritzker announced Friday afternoon the classroom closures he implemented March 17 will continue for the remainder of the school year. The Illinois State Board of Education is encouraging school districts to develop ways to take attendance or check student progress. The governor waived the student teaching requirement for new teachers who have completed all other requirements, and waived some high school graduation requirements for current seniors including physical fitness and consumer education.
The Illinois High School Association reports its board will meet via video conference Tuesday to make a final determination on spring sports. The association previously said any further suspension of student attendance would likely lead to the cancellation of the spring seasons.
The Illinois Department of Public Health daily update reports 1,842 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, the highest single-day total, with 62 additional deaths. Pritzker noted Friday’s update include the second highest number of tests completed. The state has now confirmed 27,575 cases with 1,134 deaths.
