image of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)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.

E-Learning Resources

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  • February 23, 2021:

    • The U.S. Department of Education has published its guidelines for re-opening schools during the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • February 9, 2021:

    • The Illinois Department of Public Health has updated its Frequently Asked Questions for school district guidance regarding COVID-19.

  • January 11, 2021:

    • The Illinois Department of Public Health has updated its COVID-19 Exclusion Guidance for symptomatic individuals in schools and day care facilities.

  • October 27, 2020:

    • The Illinois Department of Public Health has issued updated its Frequently Asked Questions for school district guidance regarding COVID-19.

  • September 28, 2020:

    • The Office of Special Education Programs (“OSEP”) has provided a Question and Answer document providing guidance for the provision of special education services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • September 10, 2020:

    • The Illinois Department of Public Health (“IDPH”) has created a COVID-19 Exclusion Chart to provide guidance to schools on when to allow students to return after exposure to or exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19.

  • August 17, 2020:

    • The Illinois Department of Public Health (“IDPH”) has issued guidance regarding the exclusion of symptomatic students in schools and daycare facilities.

  • August 14, 2020:

    • The Illinois State Board of Education (“ISBE”) has issued a Frequently Asked Questions document for parents regarding special education services for the 2020-2021 school year.

  • August 12, 2020:

    • The Illinois Department of Public Health (“IDPH”) issues a Frequently Asked Questions document for schools regarding re-opening during COVID-19.

  • July 23, 2020:

  • 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.

  • March 18, 2020:

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