Chicago Public Schools Closes for Nov. 3 Midterm Vote

Chicago Public Schools will close its doors on Tuesday, Nov. 3, for the Illinois midterm election. The district, the largest in the state, will not hold classes on the day. This closure aligns with Illinois law, which permits local authorities to designate schools as polling places on days without instruction. Many suburban districts have adopted the same schedule. Wilmette District 39, Indian Prairie School District 204 in the western suburbs, and Oswego Community Unit School District 308 will also be closed to students.

Illinois law grants workers two hours of paid time off to cast ballots. However, the day is not a federal holiday. Consequently, most private businesses, banks, and federal facilities, including courthouses, will operate on their regular schedules. Employees can request time off, but they are not entitled to a full day off.

State government services will see mixed availability. Illinois Secretary of State Driver Services locations will be closed. Libraries, conversely, will generally remain open. Some libraries will double as polling places. The United States Postal Service will continue mail delivery as normal because the day is not a federal holiday. Some private schools and universities may still hold classes or schedule staff development days.

Local officials have noted that attempts to make Election Day a federal holiday have not succeeded. As a result, the state relies on existing state laws for closures and polling site designations. The schedule for Tuesday reflects a patchwork of state mandates and local decisions.

Voters should check their local district and workplace policies for specific hours. Banks and post offices will follow standard business hours. State DMV offices will be closed. The Illinois Secretary of State will monitor polling place utilization throughout the day.