Will County News

Wilmington School District 209-U will offer full-day, in-person instruction starting on Wednesday, August 26, 2020. The district will also offer a remote learning option for all students.   Wilmington's full plan for the return to school, including safety measures to be implemented such as masks and enhanced cleaning, can be found here . In a letter, Wilmington Superintendent Matt Swick wrote that: " "In order to effectively plan for the start of this new school year, we are going to ask  ALL parents & guardians  to complete an  In-Person and Remote Learning Selection form  for all individual students by Wednesday, August 5, 2020. This form can be found at:  https://forms.gle/QbRFvJ7pCZ8BxaW99   . Please be aware that whatever final selection is made will be in place at least throughout the entire 1st trimester for students in k-8 and throughout the entire 1st semester for high school students."

The Will County Health Department posted a reminder to residents to take social distancing guidelines seriously: "HIGHER POSITIVITY RATES AND OUT-OF-STATE GATHERING BOTH SERVE AS IMPORTANT REMINDERS ABOUT CONTINUING TO FOLLOW GUIDELINES DURING PANDEMIC The Will County Health Department (WCHD) wishes to remind the public that the Coronavirus pandemic is far from over, and that precautions that are advised must be heeded to and taken seriously.  Illinois is seeing an uptick in Coronavirus cases since July 4 th , and the relaxing of requirements on social distancing, mask wearing, and holding large gatherings has been a contributing factor. While Illinois’ Region Seven (which includes Will and Kankakee Counties) showed a seven day run of positivity rate increases as of July 30th, it must be noted that ALL Illinois zones outside of Chicago showed positivity rate increases for at least six days.  (This information is available at  https://www.dph.illinois.gov/regionmetrics?reg

The Board of Education of Plainfield Community Consolidated School District 202 voted to begin the school year remotely. The new Return to School plan calls for remote learning to begin August 31, 2020. Administrators stated the later start date will allow for more training of paraprofessionals and more time for delivery of PPE and cleaning supplies for the eventual start of in-person learning. 

On July 27, 2020, Joliet Public Schools District 86 announced the 2020-2021 School Year will begin with remote learning. Previously, the district had announced a hybrid model.  The District states all students will be provided a District-issued technology device. Letter posted on the District's website explaining the decision to begin the year remotely: "As you know, the safety of our students and  staff members remains our top priority in Joliet Public Schools District 86. With this in mind, after monitoring the  continued rise of COVID cases across Illinois, reviewing updated guidance, and several sleepless nights, we have  decided that we will begin the 2020-2021 school year for all students in Remote Learning.  This decision was not  made lightly, but we cannot risk the safety and well-being of our students and employees as the uncertainties of this  virus continue to evolve. We will reassess the situation half way through the first trimester to see if we can safe

Illinois State Senator Sue Rezin is calling for Illinois House of Representatives Speaker Michael Madigan to step down from his leadership position. Rezin joined with other Republican State Senators to issue the following statement:     “Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan exerts absolute control over what issues get a hearing and which get a vote in the Illinois House. As the US Attorney announced last week, that process allegedly comes with a price.   “Illinois Democrats, who control both chambers of the Illinois legislature, should embrace reforms that will ensure all the power of legislating is not consolidated into the hands of one allegedly corrupt process. This can be done by improving transparency and enacting a fair redistricting process.   “What is abundantly clear to our caucus and every concerned citizen in Illinois is the fact that Michael Madigan can no longer serve as Speaker of the Illinois House, and he should step aside from this leadership position immediat

The Plainfield Board of Education will meet for a Special Board Meeting on Monday, July 27th, 2020 at 7:00 p.m.. Approving the Return '20 Plan is on the agenda.  At the July 20, 2020 Plainfield Board of Education, the Board voted 3-3 on the plan, meaning the Board failed to adopt the plan. To watch the meeting, follow these directions: TO ACCESS/VIEW THE MEETING ***PLEASE NOTE: we expect significant community interest in this meeting. If we exceed our Zoom meeting limit, viewers will be given the option to watch the meeting live on YouTube. Please click the link below to join the webinar by: BY VIDEO https://psd202.zoom.us/j/84998077274?pwd=czFPLzlqeDBNNHd5bzdxZVNuYWYxQT09 Passcode: 0pmqMt  Or iPhone one-tap US: +13126266799,,84998077274#,,,,,,0#,,076744# or +13017158592,,84998077274#,,,,,,0#,,076744# OR TELEPHONE Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location): US:+13126266799 or+13017158592 or+16465588656 or+1346248 7799 or +1 669

On Monday, July 20, 2020, the Plainfield Community Consolidated School District 202 Board of Education voted 3-3 on a plan to begin the school year completely remotely.  Since the remote return to school plan was not adopted, staff must now develop a new plan to bring to the Board. On Thursday, July 23rd, members of the Plainfield Teachers Union stood on the sidewalk on streets near the District Administration building and displayed sings asking questions about the plan to reopen school. The District Board of Education meets for a closed session to discuss negotiations with employees on July 23rd, but the agenda states no action will be taken.

Members of the Plainfield Teachers Union--the Association of Plainfield Teachers-- rallied in front of Plainfield Central High School today before a Special Board of Education tonight in Plainfield .  Union president Dawn Bullock said the union plans to meet with the Board tonight to express teacher concerns about an in-person return to school.   Bullock said even with half the student population, passing periods will make social distancing impossible.  Bullock went on to state that service providers will not be able to work with small groups around a table as an example of one way in-person instruction will be affected by social distancing guidelines.  "It is a much more involved situation than they realize, and students will not be returning to the school they left in March." Bullock went on to say she hopes the Board will realize a remote start is the safest start to the school year.  Bullock stated teachers and supporters stood on many roads in Plainfield for 31 m

The Board of Education for Plainfield Community Consolidated School District 202 will meet for a Special Meeting on July 23, 2020. The notice for the meeting states the Board has called the meeting for "closed session". The Agenda calls for a Closed Session of the Board for the purpose of discussing: "Collective negotiating matters between the public body and its employees or their representatives, or deliberations concerning salary schedules for one or more classes of employees. CLOSED SESSION REQUESTED." The agenda states that after the board returns from closed session the board will adjourn and no action will be taken. On July 20, 2020, the Board voted 3-3 on a call to approve an all-remote return to school plan for the 1st quarter of Fall 2020.  The plan was not adopted due to failing to gain a majority and the Board directed District staff to develop alternative plans.

Today, July 22, 2020, Illinois Governor Pritzker announced an extension of the eviction moratorium through August 22, 2020. Pritzker said, "I want to make sure we have support in place for those who are most vulnerable." Pritzker stated that through work with the General Assembly, two programs have been created to provide that support. The programs, one for renters and one for homeowners, will begin accepting applications for assistance. Each program will distribute $150 million dollars. Starting August 10th, applications will open for renters and August 28th for homeowners. Though the fall, recipients will receive grants of $5,000 for renters and $ 15,000 for homeowners.   Pritzker said he continues to explore partnerships to provide addition support for those who need to keep a roof over their family's heads. The discussion of the extension of the eviction moratorium begins at 12:15:

Governor Pritzker announced on July 21, 2020 the Rebuild Illinois plan, a " $21.3 billion plan to rebuild Illinois' roads and bridges over the next six years." The Year One Highlights of the plan include 1.2 Billion Dollars for the project to improve I-80 from Ridge Road to U.S. Route 30 in New Lenox.  This project includes construction of a new bridge over the Des Plaines River in Joliet.  The State's Year One Flyer indicates the I-80 project will be in the design phase.

A 3-3 vote by the Plainfield Community Consolidated School District Board of Education on the proposed COVID-19 Reopening Plan for Fall 2020 means the District administrative staff must come back to the Board with another re-opening proposal.   Board member Heather Drake, Vice President Rod Westfall and President Kevin Kirberg supported the proposal. Board Secretary Dave Koch, and Board members Bob Smith and Mike Robey voted against it. Board member Joette Doyle was absent because of recent health issues. According to a post on the District's website: " Drake, acknowledging parents’ concerns, asked that the proposal be amended to require teachers to interact online with students every day rather than once or twice a week as first proposed. She also suggested requiring teachers to teach online from their classrooms rather than from home. She and Westfall both emphasized the need to protect students’ and staff’s health and safety. However, Robey raised concerns about the

At the July 20, 2020 Board of Education meeting, the Plainfield Community Consolidated School District Board voted 3-3 to NOT adopt the proposed plan for all-remote learning to begin the 2020 school year.   The Board directed staff to come back with another proposal

**UPDATE: Board vote 3-3, plan for all-virtual 1st quarter fails to pass** A vote to approve the Remote Learning Plan for the 2020-2021 School year is on the agenda for the July 20, 2020 meeting of the Plainfield Community Consolidated School District 202 Board of Education.  The Board heard a presentation on a plan to begin the 2020-2021 School year with all remote learning at its July 15, 2020 meeting .   The public can watch the meeting through Zoom.  The district's meeting notice states a large number of people are expected to attempt to access the meeting through Zoom.  Since Zoom meetings have a limit, the District says it plans to live-stream the meeting to YouTube for those unable to access Zoom.  Zoom info here .  In regards to public comments, the district's website has directions on submitting comments here  and an agenda for the meeting here . 

UPDATE, 8/14/20: Lockport Township High School District 205's Draft Return to School Transition Plan includes a report back from district staff's consultation with the district's liability insurance provider. The section labeled "Liability Insurance" on page 17 of the district's Draft Return to School Transition Plan reads:  " Liability Insurance  Consultation with our liability insurance provider, CLIC, has been an important part of the  development of this plan. Coverage for COVD 19 related illnesses or fatalities related to the  possible exposure in the school place is not an insurance product that has been developed  across the United States. Such claims from a school district or from an individual would most  likely be denied as an “exclusion” in our policy; however, it should be emphasized that this is  liability insurance and the following statement from CLIC is important relative to the planning we are doing in this memorandum: “...th

Senators Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant and Pat McGuire, and Representatives John Connor, Natalie Manley, and Larry Walsh Jr. sent the following letter regarding the ongoing nurses' strike at AMITA St. Joseph's Medical Center on July 17, 2020: Letter sent by Senators McGuire and Bertino-Tarrant, and Representatives Manley, Connor, and Walsh urging leaders of AMITA Healh, St. Joseph Medical Center, St. Joseph's Nurses Association, and the Illinois Nurses Association to reach a settlement. The letter is addressed to leaders from both the St. Joesph's Nurses Union and Amita Health, which owns St. Joseph Medical Center. The letter reads: "The stalemate between Amita Health and the St. Joseph's Nurses Association becomes more damaging every day.   Sporadic communication between the two parties is not working.   We call on AMITA and SJNA to bring the full bargaining teams to the table immediately for sustained negotiations in good faith to reach a settlement.

Facebook posts warning drives of tire-ruining potholes on the I-80 bridge in Joliet are a common sight on the Facebook feed of Will County residents.  The condition of the bridge's pavement will necessitate road construction this summer.  On July 14, 2020, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) announced that starting Friday, July 17, 2020 weekend land and ramp closures will take place to allow for bridge deck patching and joint repairs on the I-80 bridge over the Des Plaines River in Joliet. The work is scheduled to take place from 10:00 p.m. Friday to 5:00 a.m. Monday over eight consecutive weekends, with the exception of Labor Day. IDOT stated: " The first stage of the project will require lane closures on both sides of I-80 from Center Street to Rowell Avenue. At least one lane in both directions will remain open at all times.  In addition, work will get underway in August on the following ramps; Chicago Street (U.S. 52/Illinois 53) to eastbound I-80,

Illinois Governor Pritzker, speaking at a press conference today, referenced the federal investigation into ComEd and the Illinois House Speaker and urged Illinois House Speak Michael Madigan to fully cooperate with the investigation and answer all questions as soon as possible. Pritzker said if allegations against the Speaker are true, he must resign (part regarding ComEd and Madigan starts at 21:10):

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Illinois announced that "Commonwealth Edison Agrees to Pay $200 Million to Resolve Federal Criminal Investigation Into Bribery Scheme."  And that: "ComEd Admits Arranging Jobs and Contracts for Political Allies of High-Level State of Illinois Official." The release goes on to say: " CHICAGO — Commonwealth Edison Company (“ComEd”), the largest electric utility in Illinois, has agreed to pay $200 million to resolve a federal criminal investigation into a years-long bribery scheme, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Chicago announced today. The criminal investigation of ComEd is being resolved with a deferred prosecution agreement under which ComEd admitted it arranged jobs, vendor subcontracts, and monetary payments associated with those jobs and subcontracts, for various associates of a high-level elected official for the state of Illinois, to influence and reward the official’s efforts to assist ComEd

UPDATE: Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 announced their plan for Fall 2020: "Lincoln-Way 210 has planned for Blended Learning- A/B Days. Following IDPH/ISBE guidelines, Blended Learning-A/B Days focuses on limiting the total number of people in a building on a daily basis. Students will be split alphabetically into: Group A: Last Name A – L and Group B: Last Name M – Z. A Day students attend In-Person while B students are Remote; B Day students attend In-Person while A students are Remote." Parents do have the option to select a remote learning option for their student, but they must select that option by July 26, 2020.

Herscher Community Unit School District #2 announced their re-opening plan for Fall 2020 will include full in-person learning 5 days per week.  Masks will be required for students and staff.  UPDATE: All students can select an online-learning option, details here .

**UPDATE: Board vote 3-3, plan for all-virtual 1st quarter fails to pass** Plainfield Community Consolidated School District 202, a Unit District serving students from Pre-K to 12th grade, held a special board meeting July 15, 2020 where a plan to start the school year with remote learning was described.  The District plans to be fully remote for the 1st quarter of school, and will evaluate plans for the 2nd quarter while continually monitoring the situation. The plan will go before the board for an official vote on July 20, 2020.   More information on the plan for Fall 2020 and a recording of the July 15, 2020 meeting can be found on the District's website .  As you can hear from the meeting recording, administrators cited teacher concerns around returning to the building as a factor in the all-remote plan.  Furthermore, anticipated teacher call outs and anticipated difficulty in filling those spots with substitutes were discussed. District 202 Press Release: " D.

Oswego Community Unit School District 308 posted its reopening plan for the 2020-2021 School Year.  View the entire plan here . Students and parents will have the choice of in-person attendance or remote learning.  Parents and guardians must make this choice by July 22, 2020. For in-person attendance, days and times of attendance depends on grade level: Early Childhood : 5 days per week for AM or PM session, sessions shortened by 15 minutes K-5 : 5 days per week.  Kindergarten will be 4 hour days, 1-5 will be 8:10 a.m. -12:10 p.m.. 6-8 : 5 days per week, 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.. 9-12 : 7:20 a.m.-2:26 p.m., either 2 or 3 days a week, following a rotating schedule.

At a press conference today, Governor Pritzker discusses youth sports and school re-opening plans. Pritzker referenced the Illinois State Board of Education guidelines and stated: "Any district that intends to disregard this guidance is gambling with the lives of our children, teachers, and families...Districts that don't live up to public health guidelines and standards and don't make a genuine attempt to protect their communities from this virus could be held liable in the courts by community members who are ill affected." Discussion about youth sports and schools beginning about 9 minute mark. Watch the press conference here:

UPDATE: Morris High School will now begin with remote learning.  View more details here .

UPDATE: Joliet Township High School District 204 will being the year with ALL REMOTE LEARNING, details here . The Joliet Township High School District 204 Board of Education approved a Memorandum of Agreement with the teacher's union regarding the re-opening plan for school in the 2020-2021 School Year. The re-opening plan will give students and parents the choice between attending school completely remotely with no in-person attendance and a blended model in which students would attend school in-person one day a week and learn virtually the other 4 days. The district has developed a webpage with full details of their reopening plan . Below is a letter from the Superintendent announcing the plan: "Dear JTHS Families,  Thank you for your patience during this uncertain time. I know students and families are anxiously awaiting information related to the re-opening of school.  At the special meeting on July 13, the JTHS Board of Education unanimously appro

Over 80 businesses in Peotone, Illinois received Federal Paycheck Protection Program loans to help retain 696 jobs, according to records released by the Treasury Deparment and Small Business Administration.  Four Peotone businesses--Black Diamond Tube and Pipe, Bult Motors, Dralle Chevrolet and Buick, and Terry's Ford, Lincoln, Mercury of Peotone--received loans between $350,000 and $1,000,000.   Five Peotone businesses received between $150,000 and $350,000: American Cylinder Company, Inc., Apolis Transport, Inc., Great Lakes Lifting Solutions, LLC., Hartman Landscape, Inc., and Peter J. March DDS PC. 78 Peotone Businesses received loans under $150,000.  The Treasury Department did not release names of businesses receiving loans under $150,000. Due to President Trump signing legislation extending the Program's application period, the Small Business Administration reports the new deadline to apply for Paycheck Protection Program loans is August 8, 2020.  According to