Lightfoot extends CPS school closures through April 20

In a Thursday (March 19) evening address to the city, Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced the extension of CPS school closures through Monday, April 20, with students returning to class on Tuesday, April 21.

The news comes soon after the number of confirmed COVID-9 cases and deaths increased to 422 and four, respectively. Two of the deaths include a 61-year-old South Side woman and a Cook County woman in her 80s.

Lightfoot said she consulted with Chicago Department of Public Health’s Dr. Allison Arwady and Chicago Public Schools chief Dr. Janice Jackson prior to announcing the CPS closure extension. 

“CPS and the city will continue to support you in the ways that they have through these early days of school closures,” Lightfoot said. “A thousand thanks of gratitude to everyone inside and outside of CPS who have been stepping up for our kids and our families.”

More updates to come.