Parents and state lawmaker press CPS for remote options after local ICE activity; district says law limits set options
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Summary
Multiple parents and State Rep. Lillian Jimenez urged the Chicago Board of Education to provide remote-learning options after recent immigration-enforcement activity; interim district leaders said current state law limits remote instruction absent a governor-declared emergency but that CPS is exploring limited e-learning options and supports.
Parents and an Illinois state representative asked the Chicago Board of Education on Jan. 29 to develop remote-learning alternatives after reports of immigration-enforcement activity near schools in Chicago neighborhoods.
"No parent or student should fear stepping out of their home," parent Katie Bautista told the board, describing recent enforcement activity near Mozart Elementary and asking the district to provide remote access for families who feel unsafe.
State Rep. Lillian Jimenez (4th District), who joined the meeting virtually, urged the board to work with the legislature on a plan: "I'm here to ask you humbly to consider making a plan for remote access for our communities who are going through this crisis now, today." She described families who did not send children to school that morning because of fear and asked the board to consider an alternative that preserves learning while addressing safety concerns.
District response: Acting Chief Alfonso Carmona explained legal constraints. "Right now, the state law doesn't allow the district to invoke a remote or blended learning opportunity — this requires the governor to declare a disaster due to a public health emergency and the state superintendent to declare criteria," he said. Carmona said the district has an e-learning option that can be used for up to five days in specific circumstances but that CPS currently lacks a formal e-learning policy and any remote-learning policy would face statutory and logistical obstacles (devices, internet access and labor agreements).
Next steps: Carmona said the district is discussing feasibility and working with labor partners, the city and community groups on tiered interventions for students who miss multiple days of instruction. He said short-term measures and future policy proposals would be coordinated with partners and posted publicly when available.
The board did not adopt a policy change on Jan. 29; members asked district staff to continue outreach and to provide updates to the community.