Illinois School Closings: Some Schools Close, Switch to Remote Learning Due to Cold

EDITOR'S NOTE: This story was last updated at 6:30 a.m. and may not include all locations. For the most up-to-date information on school closures, residents are encouraged to use this link.

With wind chills as low as -40 reported during the early morning hours Wednesday, some schools in the Chicago area have announced plans to switch to remote learning.

Joliet Township High School District 204 said "due to weather concerns" the district will be switching Wednesday to an "emergency e-learning day" for both students and staff.

"This means that students complete assignments online and staff work from home," the district said in an alert on its website. "Students and staff should not report to school tomorrow except for maintenance staff who should check with their direct supervisor."

Joliet Public Schools District 86 later joined in closing all schools Wednesday.

River Forest Community High School Corporation also announced an e-learning day Wednesday "due to the extreme cold."

"Assignments will be posted on Google Classrooms by 9am," a post on the school's website read. "Teachers will be available for support from 9-2pm. All athletic events and practices are still on tomorrow afternoon and evening."

Joseph Academy locations in both Des Plaines and Melrose Park canceled school "due to severe weather."

Schools in Lansing will also move to e-learning, as will River Forest School Corporation institutions.

Horizon Science Academy Southwest in Chicago will be closed on Wednesday, officials said.

Several private schools in the area, including Children of Peace in Chicago, Cathedral Of Saint Raymond School in Joliet, Faith Movers Academy in University Park, Illinois Lutheran Elementary and High Schools in Crete and more also announced closures.

In northwest Indiana, Gary Community School Corporation officials announced that classes will switch to e-learning on Wednesday, with students engaging in "synchronous learning with instructors."

Schools in Hobart will also go remote, while Duneland Schools in Chesterton will delay their opening by two hours because of the cold. Valparaiso schools will also delay their opening by two hours.

In addition, Crown Point Community School Corporation in Crown Point, Indiana, said it would switch to a "distance learning day" for all students and all elementary child care sites will close "due to the forecasted low wind chill." The district also said all preschool classes were canceled.

Some, like Valparaiso Community Schools, announced a two-hour delay in opening instead.

Beginning Tuesday evening, a wind chill advisory took effect across the entire Chicago area. The advisory began at 8 p.m. and continues through noon Wednesday.

Wind chill readings are poised to hit -15 to -25 degrees below zero with values of -30 degrees possible in some communities, though even colder conditions were reported early Wednesday morning.

For those looking to see if their child's school will be closed due to the wind chills, the Emergency Closing Center tracks closures of Chicago-area schools, businesses, daycare centers and other organizations.

Simply go to the NBC Chicago homepage menu and under the "weather" section, click on "school closings."

Find more school closing information here.