It's official: Students won't return to school this academic year.
Governor J.B. Pritzker announced Friday afternoon schools will not reopen for in-person instruction for the rest of the 2019-2020 academic year.
"I've said time and time again my decisions are hard ones, but they will follow the science, and the science says our students can't go back to their normal routines." Pritzker said during the briefing.
Schools have been closed since March 17th. Schools were required to fully transition to remote or e-learning on March 31.
While schools buildings remain closed, remote learning plans will continue for the duration of the year.
During Friday's COVID-19 briefing, Governor J-B Pritzker highlighted a Randolph County school district for its efforts during the crisis.
"Red Bud Community Unit School District's Superintendent Jonathan Tallman has worked with local internet providers to expand free service to families in need, handing out devices to students without equipment of their own. Red Bud honored its graduating seniors on social media and offered area parents the opportunity to hear directly from Red Bud administrators on Facebook live."
Also at the briefing, State Superintendent of Schools Carmen Ayala mentioned another southern Illinois district's effort to serve students.
"Vienna High School has parked its school buses, equipped with WI-FI hotspots, in strategic locations throughout Johnson County to boost internet connectivity for students at home."
The state released a WI-FI hotspot map to support students here.
