Pritzker announces school doors will be closed through end of semester

Posted on April 17, 2020

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – The school year is over – at least, as far as students and teachers being in the classroom is.

Gov. JB Pritzker made the announcement Friday, saying there’s just no way school can be in session alongside the social distancing guidelines and the danger of coronavirus.

“Will students return to school totally caught up?” asked Carmen Ayala, the state superintendent of schools. “We are not expecting them to be. (The Illinois State Board of Education) will be releasing transition guidance to help schools address learning loss and students’ social-emotional needs when they return to the classrooms, whenever it is safe to do so.”

The latest figures are 27,575 cases – with Illinois posting its largest-ever gain, 1,842 – with 1,134 deaths.

“Hospitalizations are the most definite indicator of where you are in the curve. We are seeing a flattening of that. We saw a really significant upward trend. It’s flattening. The curve is bending, but it isn’t flat yet.”

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected]

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