Lights for the Fight tonight at St. Joseph-Ogden High School

Tonight starting at 8pm, the field lights at the St. Joseph-Ogden Sports Complex will be on for 20 minutes for "Lights for the Fight" phenomenon that is sweeping through the state. High schools around the state are turning the lights on as a show of support for seniors and front-line and essential workers who are doing their part in the country's fight to save lives and keep fellow American safe during the Covid-19 pandemic.

We will honor our seniors & healthcare workers at SJO tonight. The football & softball field lights will be turned on for 20 minutes tonight from 8:00-8:20 PM. @Maroon_Platoon @SJOFootball @SJOSoftball @SJOBaseball @SJORunning @SJOGirlsHoops @SJOVolleyball pic.twitter.com/bNVPcaeV3R

— SJO AD (@SJOsports) April 17, 2020

Many states and high schools around the country have organized various initiatives involving school lights according the Illinois High School Association.

"Mt. Carmel High School in Chicago was one of the early adopters in putting the spotlight on this cause in Illinois. Caravan administrators asked their fellow Chicago Catholic League schools to take part via social media, and it has now grown statewide."

Some schools are making this gesture a Friday night tradition. It is unknown at this time if St. Joseph-Ogden will do the same.

The show of solidarity and support will have extra significance as Governor J.B. Pritzker is expected to announce that schools will remain close for the rest of this academic year today or tomorrow. The Illinois governor has also hinted that the current shelter-in-place order may be extended into mid-May as other state leaders have chosen to implement.

The closure and stay-at-home extension will undoubtedly force the IHSA to cancel this spring's high school athletic season for thousands of athletes around the state.

Breaking News: School's out

The Chicago Sun-Times is reporting that Governor J.B. Pritzker is expected to announce the closure of schools until August during his daily Covid-19 briefing today or tomorrow.

The closure will affect some 2.2 millions students around the state and will break the hearts of hundreds of athletes, particularly seniors, who will not be able to participate in high school sports. The Illinois High School Association has yet to tip its hand, but after the governor makes the official announcement the state's athletic organization will probably make the official announcement soon after.

Illinois will join 27 states that have either ordered or recommended the same action according to Education Week.

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* * * UPDATE * * *

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During today's briefing Gov. Pritzker officially announced the end of in-school instructions for all schools in Illinois.

"My decision are hard ones but they will follow the science. The science says our students can not go back to their normal routine. Therefore, I am suspending in-person learning in schools for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year," the governor announced following the decision of other state leaders around the country like in the states Tennessee, Wisconsin and California. "I know many felt this was inevitable but trust me when I say this was not a decision I made lightly."

By 2:50pm, the IHSA released their statement.

"As we previously indicated, the cessation of in-person learning will make it difficult for the IHSA to conduct spring state tournaments this year. More information will be provided following Tuesday’s Board meeting."

The Board of Directors will meet on Tuesday to make their final determination on the spring sports tournament series the release said.