Governor JB Pritzker has announced schools will close for several weeks in response to virus concerns. Schools will be out of session from March 17 to March 30. Day care centers are remaining open as of Friday and will follow strict health and safety guidelines.

 “We have seen evidence from influenza outbreaks that community mitigation strategies, such a school closures, have an effect on decreasing the severity of the outbreak,” said Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike. “By taking these actions now, we hope to slow and limit widespread transmission of this virus, which is essential to ensuring our health care system is not overwhelmed as the disease progresses through our state. School closures will help slow the progression of the virus and we are asking for everyone’s help in reducing the spread.”

The closures affect all K-12 schools in Illinois. Any district with a spring break outside of this window is asked to place it in the March 17-30 period.

Pritzker's administration said it is working to ensure students still have access to critical support functions, including food, child care and safe environments. The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Thursday gave a waiver to the Illinois State Board of Education for serving meals to students in non-group settings, meaning students on free and reduced price breakfast and lunch will still have access to grab-and-go meals every day.

Some districts will offer options such as delivery and parent pick-up, per state leaders.

The governor told school administrators the state will not hand out any penalties because of this closure.

94.1 WGFA