Coronavirus: IL Lawyers Warn Against Pseudo-Prom, Grad Parties

CRYSTAL LAKE, IL—After Gov. J.B. Pritzker extended Illinois' stay-at-home order through April 30 to help minimize the spread of the new coronavirus, area high schools are deciding whether to postpone or cancel prom and graduation ceremonies. Crystal Lake High School District 155 Superintendent Steve Olson recently announced the cancellation of prom. However, graduation is still scheduled for May 16.

Similarly, Huntley High School's prom, originally scheduled for Saturday, April 25, has been postponed. The high school said in a news release that they've secured an alternate date of July 17 for the event, "pending health department guidance."

Superintendent of District 300, Fred Heid, announced in a statement Monday that "Unfortunately, at this time, we feel it is best to cancel all prom events." (Read full statement below).

Heid added that school officials have secured two makeup dates for commencement (graduation); June 6 and 27. The school board is also working to secure a date in late July, as all dates will depend on the status of social distancing and meeting size restrictions, according to Heid.

Because several area proms and graduation ceremonies are being cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, local trial lawyers are warning parents or guardians against hosting pseudo-prom or graduation parties at their homes.

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While this type of party would offer teens some semblance of a prom, parents and guardians should know they could find themselves in serious legal trouble if they allow any drinking to occur on their watch, a news release from trial lawyers Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard said.

Related: Crystal Lake Coronavirus: School District Cancels Prom

According to the group, Illinois’ Social Host Law states that any adult who knowingly allows underage drinking or provides alcohol to minors could face jail time or be sued in civil court for financial damages. If the illegal, underage drinking results in injury or death, the adult could be charged with a Class 4 felony, not to mention these parties would violate any shelter in place orders that have not been lifted, the news release states.

The firm told Patch they haven't seen an uptick in cases involving underage drinking or providing alcohol to minors at this time. However, in a statement to Patch, Brian Salvi, an attorney at Salvi, Schostok and Pritchard, said it's important everyone take the recommended precautions so we can protect ourselves and each other from a very dangerous virus.

"Our firm is committed to protecting victims of those who don’t take the proper precautions, and in these uncertain times we want to provide our community with the best information possible," Salvi told Patch. "Unfortunately, a lot of our favorite seasonal activities, including prom, have to take a backseat to our community’s health.”

The group added that there are still a wide range of circumstances that could impact whether parents are held responsible under the law. "For example, a person may not be liable if they have taken all reasonable steps to prevent underage drinking from occurring in their home," the news release states.

Pritzker said he is still gathering data before extending the state's stay-at-home order, despite extending the statewide school closure recently through the end of the academic year. The stay-at-home order currently is set to expire April 30.

>> More information on questions regarding the state's Social Host Law, or other legal concerns