Extreme cold forces Illinois schools to close Friday

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As a polar blast descends on Illinois, school districts across the state are announcing closures ahead of Friday, January 23. Chicago Public Schools confirmed earlier today that all buildings will be closed, with no remote learning scheduled. Extracurricular activities, including sports practices and games, are also canceled. Classes are expected to resume Monday, January 26.

The closures come in response to dangerously low temperatures and wind chills expected to reach -30 to -40 degrees across northeastern Illinois and southeastern Wisconsin. The National Weather Service issued an extreme cold warning that goes into effect at 3 a.m. Friday.

Schools are taking precautions to protect students, faculty, and staff from hazardous conditions on sidewalks, roads, and bus routes. The decisions are based on a combination of factors including air temperature, wind chill, snow and ice accumulation, building accessibility, and potential heating or power issues.

Which Illinois schools are affected

While Chicago Public Schools announced a full closure for Friday, several other districts and private schools have already reported closures or shifts to e-learning.

1. Bridgeport Catholic Academy in Chicago will switch to e-learning due to extreme cold. Students were reminded to take home necessary materials in preparation for the day.

2. River Trails School District 26 in Mount Prospect is monitoring temperatures and expected to make a final decision by noon Thursday.

3. Lake Forest Community High School is waiting until noon Thursday to announce the status of classes and winter activities, including the LFHS Winter Formal scheduled for Saturday.

4. Grace Lutheran School in River Forest, Ashburn Christian Academy in Orland Park, and St. John the Baptist Catholic School in Winfield are all closed Friday.

Parents and guardians are encouraged to check the Emergency Closing Center or their school’s website for the most up-to-date information. Many districts also share alerts via social media, email, phone, or text messages to ensure families are informed.

Criteria for school closures

School districts, particularly in Chicago, follow a careful decision-making process before canceling classes. Key factors considered include:

• Current and forecasted air temperatures and wind chills

• Amount of snow and ice on the ground

• Accessibility of school buildings and local roads

• Potential problems with heating and cooling systems or power outages

• Safety of student transportation, particularly bus operations

By evaluating these elements, administrators aim to protect students from exposure to extreme weather while minimizing disruption to learning.

Staying updated on school closings

Families can check the status of closures in multiple ways. Most schools post updates on their official websites and social media pages. Many districts also send alerts via phone calls, text messages, or emails.

For those in Chicago, the Emergency Closing Center offers a centralized resource to verify which schools will be closed or operating remotely. Parents are advised to review their district’s guidance to confirm Friday schedules and to prepare for potential changes.

With wind chills expected to reach dangerously low levels, local officials continue to emphasize safety first. Schools will remain closed or operate remotely as long as conditions pose a threat to student and staff well-being.

Source: NBC Chicago