December 8, 2020 – State teacher unions are calling on lawmakers to implement and enforce IDPH guidance as schools consider returning to in-person learning.
The Illinois Education Association and the Illinois Federation of Teachers say local decisions to return to in-person instruction or have remote learning have become so politicized, IEA and IFT are asking state lawmakers to set clear parameters that must be followed.
The IEA and IFT are asking lawmakers to work on five measures. They are asking for clear metrics so districts know when to switch to remote learning to keep students and staff safe. The IEA and IFT are also asking for strict enforcement of guidance and requirements put forth by IDPH, ISBE, and the CDC.
The IEA and IFT also say that rapid testing is essential for returning to in-person instruction to identify COVID-positive students and staff before they spread the virus.
“We want to be able to teach our students in-person, however we must make sure their learning environment is safe,” said Kathi Griffin, IEA president. “We have worked with state agencies. We have talked with the governor’s office. We have sought expertise from doctors and medical professionals. We have engaged with local departments of health to ensure someone, anyone, will enforce guidance put forth by the state of Illinois. But nothing guarantees this. There are no statewide metrics to guide districts, so they know when they need to provide remote instruction because the teaching and learning environment is not safe. This must change.”
“If schools are to reopen safely, education workers should be prioritized to receive the vaccine,” said IFT President Dan Montgomery. “Furthermore, the set of legislation we are calling for will put science and medicine in the driver’s seat as we all try to resume in person schooling. Right now, school districts are free to ignore science and thus endanger our students’ and staff’s health and well-being. This is especially dangerous in Black and Brown communities whose residents have been hardest hit by the pandemic. We must ensure that schools do not become epicenters of virus spread, so we need our lawmakers to step in to establish clear metrics.”
As of Friday, 101 of Illinois’ 102 counties were at an “orange” warning level for metrics.
“If we can get these measures passed, we can keep school buildings open. We can get Illinois’ economy running again. We need lawmakers to find a way to meet and pass these measures to keep schools safe for students and the adults who teach and care for them,” Montgomery said.
“Frankly, if the state legislature sets metrics for what keeps school doors open or triggers remote learning, it will help communities police themselves. If they see their numbers are broaching dangerous levels, they can control, by their own behavior, whether schools stay open. This is something that is greatly needed. We need lawmakers to do this on behalf of all residents of Illinois,” Griffin said.
