Wirepoints calls a policy paying Illinois teachers during school closures lax and suggests that it will be abused.
A March 23 Wirepoints article says that in Chicago, sick days are considered days off with pay and full pension accrual.
"One place where you can assume the lax policy is being abused is Chicago," Wirepoints founder Mark Glennon wrote. "There, sick days are commonly regarded as days off with pay and full pension accrual, and it’s already beyond obscene."
“Under their new contract negotiated last year, Chicago teachers can accumulate 244 sick days they can put toward an earlier retirement with full pension,” Glennon said. "However, there’s no excuse for a statewide policy so lax, which is sure to be abused."
Illinois teachers will be paid and receive service credits and benefits from March 17 through March 30 while schools are closed because of the COVID-19 outbreak. Future guidance may be issued after the March 30 expiration date.
Issued on March 17, a joint statement by the Illinois State Board of Education, Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Illinois Education Association, Illinois Federation of Teachers, Illinois Association of School Administrators and the Illinois Principals Association explained that the closures and teacher compensation “will be Act of God Days.”
The statement notes that all school district employees on the payroll will get paid as if the schools are functioning normally. It explains that “school district employees (are expected to) participate in work activities in some form,” during the designated period. It shows that details of the work will be worked out between employer and employee, although the focus should be continuity of education, provision of meals and other student support measures.
District employees are expected to follow the Illinois Department of Public Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations on social distancing and group gatherings.
“Employers should not require any more employees than absolutely necessary to come to school,” the order says. “No school district can unilaterally change the use of benefit days. We encourage local collaboration on the use of benefit days and encourage ways to support anyone who is sick or is caring for a sick family member.”
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