Amid rising concern for the safety of students and staff, suburban Chicago schools are dealing with the impact of online threats, prompting closures and switches to e-learning. According to CBS News Chicago, Plainfield Central High School remained closed for the second consecutive day after unverified threats surfaced online; this incident occurred just as two girls from neighboring Joliet were arrested in connection to similar threats.
The response from the Plainfield School District 202 was robust, officers were positioned at the school's entry points, while assurances were made of increased security measures, despite the menacing messages being deemed baseless. In correspondence obtained by CBS News Chicago, the school district's superintendent stressed the gravity of the situation and a commitment to student and faculty safety, confirming that law enforcement would maintain a presence at the high school overnight and during students' arrival times.
Moving to Joliet, NBC Chicago reported that the entire Joliet Public Schools District 86 opted for a remote learning day following a series of violent threats posted on social media, these threats referenced students bringing weapons to several schools, sparking considerable unease among the community. The decision was made out of "an abundance of caution," with the district emphasizing that "the safety and security of our students and staff is our top priority." Joliet Police, who have been diligently investigating the threats, reassured there was no evidence to back the legitimacy of the threats while concurrently providing an increased presence at schools and continuing with in-person instruction.
Furthermore, specific schools within the Joliet area have been identified as part of the threatening narrative, including Joliet West High School, where a 14-year-old student was taken into custody for posting threats on social media and despite no weapons being found during a home search of the implicated student she was charged, along with a 12-year-old from Dirksen Junior High, with felony disorderly conduct. School officials are not taking these situations lightly, acknowledging the severe consequences these threats come with; all athletic events and practices were also postponed as a safety measure, as announced in statements from the impacted schools.
The community has been encouraged to remain vigilant, and anyone with information regarding the threats is urged to contact authorities immediately. Both school districts, while facing disruptions, are doing their utmost to navigate these turbulent circumstances.
