Illinois State Board of Education spokesman Tom Hernandez said it's up to local administrators to decide whether districts would use vacation days or extend the school year to make up for any shortfall caused by a strike. There is no law limiting the number of days teachers can walk the picket line. School district employees are not allowed to coach teams during a strike. If a strike carries on for an extended period, some teams may be forced to forfeit or reschedule games and meets because of Illinois High School Association minimum practice rules. For example, football players must have at least 14 practices before playing a game.
Similar rules apply to other sports, such as cross country, tennis, golf and soccer.
Harlem Superintendent John Hurley said the buses will not run in the event of a strike. He was uncertain when a strike could be called, but he said the district would make an announcement if a strike becomes inevitable. Union and administration officials have advised parents to plan to go to school Tuesday but to watch print and broadcast media for any changes. The district also will make public service announcements over radio, similar to snow-day cancellations. Programs would start Wednesday.