Illinois Closes Schools and State Offices for October Holidays

Illinois residents face a mix of holiday closures and regular operating hours on Monday, Oct. 12, as Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples Day are observed across the Chicago area. Chicago Public Schools will suspend classes, state offices and Illinois courts will close, and federal holiday schedules will affect postal services and some banking operations.

The two observances have different histories and official recognition. Columbus Day became a federal holiday in 1892 to commemorate Christopher Columbus' historic voyage, while Indigenous Peoples Day recognizes Native Americans' contributions and draws attention to Columbus' treatment of Indigenous peoples.

President Joe Biden became the first U.S. president to formally recognize Indigenous Peoples Day by issuing a proclamation in 2021, according to the source report.

Chicago Public Schools adopted Indigenous Peoples Day in place of Columbus Day on its calendar after the Chicago Board of Education voted for the change in 2020. Classes will not be held Monday, and many other Illinois school districts are also scheduled to close.

Chicago city offices will also be closed because the city recognizes Columbus Day as a municipal holiday. Illinois, however, designates Indigenous Peoples Day as the last Monday in September under legislation passed in 2017.

Several public events are planned in the Chicago area for Monday. The Field Museum in Chicago and the Gichigamiin Indigenous Nations Museum in Evanston are among the venues hosting Indigenous Peoples Day events.

Separately, the Columbus Day Parade organized by the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans is scheduled to begin at approximately 11:30 a.m. at Dearborn Street and Wacker Drive in Chicago.

Banks may operate on modified schedules because the Federal Reserve observes Oct. 12 as a holiday. Chase Bank says its branches will remain open, although online transactions will be treated as holiday transactions.

U.S. stock markets will remain open Monday, according to the holiday schedule outlined in the source report. The U.S. bond market, however, will be closed, based on the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association's holiday schedule.

The United States Postal Service will suspend regular mail delivery and close post offices for Columbus Day. The agency lists the observance among its 11 holidays for 2026.

FedEx and UPS will continue to offer pickup and delivery services, and their store locations will remain open, according to the companies cited in the report.

Most Illinois libraries are expected to open as usual Monday, based on information published on their websites. Chicago Public Library branches are among those listed as open.

Illinois state agencies, including the Secretary of State's Office, will be closed for the state holiday. Courts throughout Illinois will also be closed Monday in observance of Columbus Day.