The school year is nearing its end for most students, meaning more free time and pent-up energy. Luckily for them, Planet Fitness is once again kicking off its High School Summer Pass program, offering free memberships for teens across the country.

Here’s what Illinois parents should know about the program, including who is eligible and how to enroll.

When does Planet Fitness’ High School Summer Pass start?

Planet Fitness’ summer pass program begins Sunday, June 1, 2025, and lasts until Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, the fitness club said.

Who is eligible to participate in the program?

All teenagers between the ages of 14 and 19 can participate in the program.

How to sign up for 2025 Planet Fitness High School Summer Pass

You can sign up by pre-registering for the summer pass program online. Teens under the age of 18 will need their parent or legal guardian to sign a waiver.

Parents can also sign their teen up for the program in person at any Planet Fitness location. After the waiver is signed, teens are able to work out independently.

High School Summer Pass comes with scholarship opportunity

Those who sign up for a summer pass can enter the Planet Fitness High School Summer Pass Contest for a chance to win scholarship money. 

To enter, students can submit a video that details their experience during the program by uploading it to TikTok and tagging @planetfitness using the hashtags #HSSP23US and #contest. Planet Fitness will award 10 students a $10,000 scholarship each.

Can parents and their teens work out together at Planet Fitness?

Yes, if they have a Planet Fitness membership, the company said. The free program is available only to teens.

Do you need the Planet Fitness App?

Yes, you need to download the Planet Fitness app through the Apple App Store or Google Play to participate in the program.

Parents or teens will have to create an account with the same email used to sign up for the High School Summer Pass. On June 1, the pass will automatically link to the account.

Can participants sign up for any fitness classes?

All participants will have access to the free fitness classes offered through the Planet Fitness PE@PF program.

Planet Fitness locations in Illinois

Planet Fitness has 105 gyms across Illinois, including 16 locations in Chicago. Find your local gym on Planet Fitness’ website here.

The ramp from I-88 westbound to Illinois 83 southbound in Chicago’s western suburbs is expected to be closed for several days after being damaged by a crash involving a commercial vehicle.

Illinois State Police said a commercial vehicle hauling an excavator was involved in a crash just after 7 p.m. Tuesday on the ramp.

“While attempting to go underneath the bridge, the excavator made contact with the overpass and caused damage to the structure,” state police said.

The ramp was closed following the accident and remained closed Wednesday morning.

Officials said it would likely be closed for “several days,” though no timetable was given. Crews were seen working on the structure through the night.

NBC Chicago Traffic Reporter Kye Martin said drivers traveling westbound should exit at Spring/22nd.

CHICAGO (WLS) — State lawmakers are now down to the final week of this legislative session, grappling with how to cover a budget shortfall and also, how to avoid a doomsday deadline for mass transportation.

Transit officials have been stressing the need for hundreds of millions of dollars for the CTA, Metra and Pace to avoid massive layoffs. Lawmakers in Springfield have been feeling the sense of urgency to get things done with time running out.

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With the legislative session on track to wrap up by May 31, the pressure is on to find a way to fund mass transit.

“We’re going to have to have a fully funded, well-supported transit system, safe, affordable and reliable, you know. And you know, again, there’s no secret that we have to move with some expediency to ensure that the funding is there,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson.

Lawmakers in Springfield have been working down to the wire to pass a balanced budget in a very challenging year with revenue shortfalls and pending cuts in federal funding.

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“We’re not trying to just close the books on a budget for the state of Illinois, but we’re trying to close gaps in access and equity and accountability. And that’s not easy in a very tough fiscal environment,” said Rep. Kam Buckner, D-Chicago.

But before addressing any transit funding bills, lawmakers are working to revamp the governance for the transit agencies under a new entity replacing the Regional Transportation Authority.

The RTA says mass transit needs $771 million next year to avoid layoffs and cuts to service.

“We know, once again, that we find ourselves in a precarious budget situation, but we also know that doing nothing is not an option, and so, we’ve got some long days and nights ahead here in this last week in Springfield,” Buckner said.

Johnson is also optimistic that the city’s requests, which include a 911 surcharge tax and school funding for special education and transportation, will come through.

“You know, there’s nothing that’s guaranteed, and our work continues there to ensure that the ask that we have for the people of Chicago, that those asks become realized. Now, there’s always room to negotiate, and there’s different forms in which these asks can be delivered,” Johnson said.

Lawmakers are discussing various new revenue sources, but while negotiators talk through them, they are keeping those ideas private.

Lawmakers have until Saturday at 11:59 p.m. to pass a balanced budget. And once again, they are expecting to work right up until the end to get the budget passed.