CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (Chambana Today) — A winter storm paired with dangerously cold temperatures has led to widespread school closures and e-learning days across Champaign County and surrounding communities for Monday, January 26, as administrators cite hazardous travel conditions and concerns for student and staff safety. Snow and ice accumulation, combined with bitter wind chills, prompted dozens of school districts, colleges, and early childhood programs to alter their schedules.
AS OF 6:21 p.m.: Champaign Unit 4, Urbana School District 116, Blue Ridge, Monticello, Rantoul Township High School, Mattoon CUSD #2, Charleston CUSD 1, and Heritage Schools are among the districts transitioning to e-learning. District officials reminded families to follow their school’s established e-learning plans and to monitor communications from teachers for assignments and instructions. All extracurricular activities, including practices, games, meetings, and events, have been canceled.
Several schools and institutions announced full closures, including Fisher District 1, Countryside School, Little Lamb Pre-School, St. John Lutheran Church and School in Champaign, and St. Matthew School. Parkland College and Lake Land College also announced closures for all campuses, canceling classes, programs, services, athletic events, and partner activities. Parkland officials noted that campus access roads will be closed and that no MTD bus service will operate.
Administrators across the region pointed to slick roads, reduced visibility, and extreme cold as the primary factors behind the decisions, with conditions expected to remain hazardous into Monday morning. An updated list of school and organization closures is available on the Chambana Today Closings page at chambanatoday.com/closings, which will continue to be updated as additional announcements are made.