As the nation prepares to honor the legacies of its leaders on Presidents Day this Monday, Feb. 19, Illinois residents are bracing for the closure of various government offices and services. With the United States Post Office leading the charge, NBC Chicago reports that post offices throughout the Chicago area and Illinois will not be open, and mail delivery services will be on pause for the day. “There will not be any mail delivery or retail service on February 19,” the USPS has stated, ensuring a quiet mailbox for the holiday.
While Presidents Day might offer a respite for some, retail kings like Walmart, Target, and Costco are bucking the trend of day off. These big box stores are planning to keep their doors wide open to consumers, according to ABC7 Chicago. Amidst closures, shoppers will have free reign on the aisles of most supermarkets and local restaurants, though it is worth a quick call ahead to ensure the usual hours of operation.
Educational institutions are also taking a beat to commemorate the holiday; Chicago Public Schools (CPS) are confirmed to be closed, aligning with many public school districts that will also take a pause from their academic duties. As Presidents Day doubles up on Lincoln's birthday in Illinois, schools have the discretion to observe either day. Illinoisans are urged to check with their local districts for specific schedules.
Banking operations will also hit a temporary snag, with most banks shutting down in observance of the federal holiday; though TD Bank remains an exception—keeping its doors open for business. "Presidents Day is a bank holiday in the Federal Reserve system, so most banks will be closed," ABC7 Chicago informs. The New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ will join the list of Presidents Day pauses, potentially giving Wall Street traders a rare chance at a long weekend's rest.
Nonessential government offices will not be spared from the holiday closures, with departments such as the DMV, libraries, and courthouses shuttering for the day. While couriers such as USPS take a break, UPS and FedEx Ground carry on, offering solace to those waiting on deliveries. With an array of opens and shuts, this Presidents Day serves as a tapestry of American operation, a testament to the versatile nature of national observance.
