COVID-19 Illinois School Updates

Whitted Takiff staff are working diligently to keep all of our clients updated on the most recent COVID-19 school updates as they are introduced. WT will post updated guidelines and statements here as soon as we receive them from the State of Illinois and the U.S. Department of Education regarding school closures, e-learning and IDEA mandates.

• June 30, 2020:

  • ISBE has published a Frequently Asked Questions document regarding the provision of special education services to students during the transition to in-person instruction for the fall of 2020.
  • The IDPH and ISBE published an update about the appropriate use of face shields in educational environments.

• June 23, 2020:

  • ISBE and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has released formal guidance for school instruction for the 2020-2021 school year. The guidance delineates that “in person instruction is highly encouraged” as Illinois moves into Phase 4 re-opening, but allows school districts to develop hybrid in-person/remote learning plans in the event schools cannot comply with IDPH guidelines.

• June 22, 2020:

  • The U.S. Department of Education and the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) publishes guidance on dispute resolution during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• June 18, 2020:

  • Governor Pritzker signed SB 1569 into law, amending the school code to address the continuing impact of COVID-19 on education, and expanding remote learning capabilities and supports for schools for the 2020-2021 school year. ISBE announced the passage of the law and stated that guidance for fall 2020 learning will be issued by the end of June.

• June 4, 2020:

  • Governor Pritzker issues an updated Executive Order which includes guidance for potential school openings.
  • The Illinois State Board of Education and the Illinois Department of Health releases Summer Program Guidance for Illinois school districts.

• April 20, 2020:

  • ISBE publishes Frequently Asked Questions for Special Education During Remote Learning.

• April 1, 2020:

  • ISBE issues updated guidance regarding mandatory suspension of in-person instruction guidance for Illinois schools and school districts.

• March 31, 2020:

  • Governor Pritzker orders a continuation of the shelter-in-place mandate for Illinois, extending school closures until April 30th.
  • Whitted Takiff Client Alert: Special Education Services During a Pandemic

• March 27, 2020:

  • President Trump signs the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, providing relief funding for elementary and secondary schools across the nation during the pandemic.
  • The Illinois State Board of Education issued Emergency Rules on Remote Learning Days
  • The Illinois State Board of Education issued its Remote Learning Recommendations During Covid-19 Emergency
  • Updated Joint Statement by the Governor Pritzker, Illinois Education Association, Illinois Federation of Teachers, Illinois Association of School Administrators, Illinois Principals Association, and Illinois State Board of Education

• March 25, 2020:

  • The Illinois State Board of Education issued Emergency Rules for Nonpublic Special Education Placement of Public School Students

• March 23, 2020:

  • The U.S. Department of Education issued a FERPA & Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) document 
  • The U.S. Department of Education issued a support document titled “FERPA and Virtual Learning Related Resources”
  • ISBE Issues an Updated Letter re: COVID-19

• March 21, 2020:

  • The U.S. Department of Education issued a Supplemental Fact Sheet Addressing the Risk of COVID-19 in Preschool, Elementary and Secondary Schools While Serving Children with Disabilities

• March 20, 2020:

  • The U.S. Department of Education held a conference call with K-12 Stakeholders from all 50 states.

• March 18, 2020:

  • Illinois State Board of Education Guidance for the Provision of Special Education Instruction by Illinois Schools.

• March 17, 2020:

  • Joint Statement by the Governor Pritzker, Illinois Education Association, Illinois Federation of Teachers, Illinois Association of School Administrators, Illinois Principals Association, and Illinois State Board of Education.

  March 16, 2020:

  • Illinois State Board of Education School Closure Guidance
  • Illinois State Board of Education Executive Order in Response to Coronavirus
  • Office of Civil Rights Coronavirus Fact Sheet

  March 15, 2020:

  • DCFS Guidance for Childcare Centers and Early Education Programs

  March 12, 2020:

  • U.S. Department of Education COVID-19 IDEA-Related Questions and Answers