Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot speaks during a press conference at City Hall to announce remote learning plans for Chicago Public Schools students amid fears of the coronavirus pandemic, in Chicago, Monday.
CHICAGO — Chicago Public Schools will distribute 100,000 electronic devices for students to use at home as the district implements a remote learning plan, officials announced Monday.
Illinois schools were shut down at mid-March to stop the spread of COVID-19. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said the public schools’ plan to keep children learning at home include non-digital instruction because the lack of internet access in some homes can’t be remedied quickly.
About 65,000 laptops, Chrome books and iPads already being used in schools will be distributed to families who need them the most. The school district is in the process of buying another 37,000 new devices to distribute. District officials said they didn’t know how many of approximately 335,000 students will still be without computers.
Chicago schools chief executive Dr. Janice Jackson said the district plans to implement remote learning beginning April 13 and families can expect to hear from their schools by April 6. Officials did not say if electronic devices will reach families by the time the remote learning plan begins.
Schools will provide students with learning materials daily and teachers will monitor student engagement weekly, officials said. Attendance won’t be taken and students with limited access to technology won’t be penalized.
Crown Point Square
Crown Point's Main Street, normally busy with traffic and customers grabbing coffee and breakfast, is empty just before 9 a.m. on Wednesday. It was the first day of Gov. Eric Holcomb's new stay-at-home order to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
Largely deserted by the Old Courthouse, Crown Point
The largely deserted scene by the Old Courthouse in Crown Point on Wednesday morning, as Hoosiers stay home amid the coronavirus outbreak.
Central Park Plaza Valparaiso
Central Park Plaza Valparaiso is seen empty Wednesday morning as Hoosiers stay home amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Lake County Government Center in Crown Point
Lake County Government Center in Crown Point. Usually bustling with cars a people at this time. Largely deserted at the main building, just before 9 a.m. Wednesday.
Downtown Chesterton
Downtown Chesterton is deserted Wednesday as residents stay home amid the coronavirus pandemic Wednesday.
Downtown Valparaiso
Downtown Valparaiso is shown empty Wednesday morning as Hoosiers stay home amid the COVID-19 outbreak.
U.S. 30 in Schererville
Normally packed with cars during the morning rush, traffic was very light Wednesday morning on U.S. 30 in Schererville.
Downtown Valparaiso
Downtown Valparaiso is shown empty Wednesday morning as Hoosiers stay home amid the COVID-19 outbreak.
Valplayso in Valparaiso
Valplayso in Valparaiso is shown closed on Wednesday morning amid the COVID-19 outbreak.
Westchester Public Library in Chesterton
Westchester Public Library in Chesterton is shown Wednesday morning as Hoosiers hunker down amid the COVID-19 outbreak.
Ghost town
Downtown Crown Point resembled a ghost town Wednesday morning on Main Street, with open parking spaces and streets that are usually teeming with traffic.
No thru traffic
A drive-thru lane at the Starbucks on Calumet Avenue in Munster is blocked by a traffic cone as the entire business has been closed down in the face of COVID-19.
Closed for business
The Starbucks on Calumet Avenue in Munster has closed entirely, even the drive thru, in the face of COVID-19.
Gallery
Main Street in Hobart
Hobart’s Main Street near Fourth Street, looking north, sits nearly empty Wednesday during the first day of Gov. Eric Holcomb's order to help slow the spread of the COVID-19 in Indiana.
Broadway in Gary
Downtown Gary’s Broadway Avenue, looking north from near 15th Avenue, Wednesday during the first day of Gov. Eric Holcomb's Stay-At-Home order to help slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus in the state of Indiana.
Lake Station
Lake Station City Hall parking lot sat empty Wednesday during the first day of Gov. Eric Holcomb's order to help slow the spread of the COVID-19.
IUN
Indiana University Northwest in Gary is shown nearly deserted Wednesday in the wake of an Indiana stay-at-home order.
Gary's Broadway
Downtown Gary’s Broadway Avenue, looking south from Fifth Avenue, sits nearly empty Wednesday during the first day of Gov. Eric Holcomb's order to help slow the spread of the COVID-19 in Indiana.
Highland's Highway Avenue
Downtown Highland looks like a ghost town on Highway Avenue Wednesday.
Shops on Main
The parking lot at Shops on Main in Schererville is eerily empty Wednesday.
Indiana stay-at-home
Normally full of vehicles and shoppers, the Shops on Main in Schererville is eerily empty Wednesday.
Growlers
The folks at Growlers, in Highland, are hoping to welcome back customers on March 30.
Special delivery
Postal carrier Robert Cavazos, a resident of Griffith, delivers mail in Highland. He is one of the "essential" workers who was out and about Wednesday.
Best Buy
Best Buy customers at the Highland Grove Shopping Center in Highland must order online and pickup at the store's entrance. A very small selection of items are available outside. Nobody other than employees is allowed inside.
Indiana stay-at-home
Best Buy customers at the Highland Grove Shopping Center in Highland must order online and pickup at the store's entrance. A very small selection of items are available outside. Nobody other than employees is allowed inside.
Indiana stay-at-home
The St. Michael the Archangel Church marquee displays a message of prayer for health care workers amid the COVID-19 crisis.
Indiana stay-at-home
Best Buy customers in Hobart must order online and pickup at the store's entrance. Nobody other than employees is allowed inside.
Indiana stay-at-home
Businesses are closed and the parking lot is empty at Boulevard Square in Schererville Wednesday.
Indiana stay-at-home
Crown Point Wendy's manager Scott Finley posts the restaurant's drive-thru hours on the marquee on Wednesday, the first day of Indiana's shutdown. Hoosiers still can leave their homes during the next two weeks to address the health and safety of themselves or their families; to purchase groceries, medical supplies, carryout food or other urgently needed goods; to participate in outdoor recreation at least 6 feet away from others; or to take care of a family member or friend in another household.
Indiana stay-at-home
Southlake Mall's parking lot sits empty Wednesday in the wake of COVID-19.
Indiana stay-at-home
The Lake County Government Center is closed to the public with only essential workers reporting for work.
Indiana stay-at-home
A passenger-less bus does its route at the Lake County Government Center.
Indiana stay-at-home
Closed for the foreseeable future, movie posters have been removed from the Hobart AMC Showplace theaters.
Indiana stay-at-home
Southlake Mall's parking lot is nearly empty of cars.
Indiana stay-at-home
Office Depot in Hobart, like other stores, offers curbside pickup.
Indiana stay-at-home
Stores at Shops on Main in Schererville remain closed.
Indiana stay-at-home
Office Depot in Hobart, like other stores, offers curbside pickup.
Associated Press
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