CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- The head of one of the largest teachers unions in Illinois called on Governor Pritzker on Monday to order all school districts move to remote learning in light of increasing COVID-19 numbers across the state.
Illinois Federation of Teachers President Dan Montgomery said teachers are working harder than ever and putting their own health at risk. He is urging Governor Pritzker, the state's board of education, and school districts to take steps to have all students in remote learning situations.
According to the Tribune, the teachers union is also asking Governor Pritzker, the Illinois Department of Public Health, and the Illinois State Board of Education to establish and enforce clear metrics for school districts to guide them for any future closures.
"There are plenty of superintendents and school boards that would like to call it, but they're worried about the public's reaction," Montgomery said. "I think the majority of people want to do what's right, and having clear metrics can be an inducement."
Governor Pritzker said ordering schools to close buildings is not something he plans to do right now.
"We're always thinking about our schoolchildren and the parents and the teachers," Pritzker said. "We've made sure to set parameters that are safe, and we need schools to follow those parameters, and most are...
"It's not ideal by any means, but we have a COVID storm that's hitting, and I think that school districts are doing the best they can."
The governor said about 60 percent of school children are doing remote learning in Illinois, while about 30 percent get a combination of both in-person learning and remote learning.
