Illinois quick hits: Schools temporarily close after online threats; Attendance totals at 2024 state fair break records

Schools temporarily close after online threats

A threat forced several schools in Joliet and Plainfield to switch to remote learning on Monday. According to the Joliet Police Department, the threat appears to have originated online. Joliet Public School District 86 has instituted an e-learning day for all 21 of its schools. This is the second threat to Joliet schools within the last few days. Multiple schools in southern Illinois are looking into threats that have been deemed not credible, including in Vienna and Carrier Mills.

Workers reject U of I contract offer

The contract offer for building service workers at the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana has been rejected. Union officials announced that more than 760 food service and building service workers voted against the latest contract proposal. The union and the school have been negotiating for eight months. Workers have been told to prepare for a possible strike as early as September 22.

Attendance totals at 2024 state fair break records

Attendance totals for the 2024 Illinois State Fair were record-breaking. More than 773,000 people attended the 11-day event, the highest number on record since industry standards were enacted. The 2024 state fair attendance figure exceeded 2023 by nearly 66,000. Carnival revenue was also up significantly over 2023. Planning is underway for the 2025 Illinois State Fair, which will run August 7-17.