WGN Radio 720 Latest School Closings and Delays

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When winter weather or extreme cold grips the Chicagoland area, WGN Radio 720 serves as a vital lifeline for parents, educators, and commuters. Known for its comprehensive “Emergency Closing Center,” WGN provides up-to-the-minute information on school closures, daycare delays, and business openings across Illinois and Northwest Indiana.

Current School Closings and Delays Status

How to Check WGN Radio School Closings

WGN Radio 720 manages one of the most robust reporting systems in the Midwest. You can access their data through several convenient platforms:

The Official Website: The Emergency Closing Center (ECC) is the primary digital hub. It offers a searchable, alphabetical database of all reported facilities.
On-Air Broadcasts: Tune your radio to 720 AM.³ During severe weather events, “Chicago’s Very Own” broadcasts frequent updates, scrolling through major district closures during news breaks and morning talk shows.
Automated Email Alerts: Parents can register their specific school on the ECC website to receive an automatic email notification the moment a status change is reported.

Understanding the Status Labels

Schools reporting to WGN Radio typically use a specific set of status terms to communicate their plans:

Status	Meaning
Closed	The facility is shut down for the day; no in-person instruction.
eLearning Day	Physical buildings are closed, but students are expected to log in for remote instruction.
Delayed Start	School begins later than usual (often 2 hours) to allow for snow removal or safer travel.
No PM Activities	School is open, but all after-school sports, clubs, and meetings are canceled.

The Decision Process: Why Schools Close

Decisions regarding closures are typically funneled through WGN Radio between 4:00 AM and 6:00 AM. Superintendents use several metrics provided by the National Weather Service and WGN’s weather team:

Wind Chill Warnings: In Chicago, schools often move to eLearning or close if wind chills are expected to reach -30°F or colder, as this poses a risk for students waiting at bus stops.
Snow Accumulation: If snowfall exceeds the ability of local DPW crews to clear primary bus routes, a “Snow Day” is likely.
Facility Readiness: Power outages or burst pipes—common during Chicago deep freezes—will trigger an immediate closing via the ECC.

Tips for Parents

To ensure you aren’t caught off guard, WGN Radio recommends keeping your school’s official ID name handy (e.g., “South Berwyn Dist #100”).⁶ While WGN reports the news, the individual school districts are responsible for updating their status in the ECC system.
Get the latest school closings, cancellations, and delays. View school closures for Illinois from WGN Radio 720. Live and Local radio from Chicago – News, Talk, Sports, Traffic, Weather, Business.