Clarity on Use of Benefit Days

Benefit Day Graphic

The graphic below was designed for school leaders. Its purpose is to clarify the benefit day policy during the CPS COVID-19 school closure. Click or click on the graphic to enlarge it.

Background & Misinformation

Several CPS administrators did not feel comfortable reporting to work on Monday, March 16th amidst COVID-19 fears.  Those administrators need to use a benefit day for Monday only. For the 17th through 30th, however, Illinois’ governor has mandated that “all school district employees get paid as if the schools were functioning normally” and that “No school district can unilaterally change the use of benefit days.” Click here to read the full statement from the governor.

Unfortunately, some network chiefs have told school leaders they need to use benefit days during the “Act of God” days if they don’t report to school. This may have been an error or an intentional misrepresentation aimed at compelling school leaders to report during the COVID-19 closures. These false statements are almost always communicated verbally rather than in writing. If any CPS official makes such a statement to you, immediately document the statement in an email to that official asking them to confirm what he or she said to you. Then contact CPAA.