Classes have been in session in Chicago-area districts for more than a month, and students and teachers at many schools are looking forward to their second holiday of the school year this weekend.

Monday, October 14, marks the federal holiday of Columbus Day, although eight U.S. states, Washington, D.C., and communities in many other states observe Indigenous Peoples Day in its place. Several other states celebrate both holidays on the second Monday in October.

The holiday means that in addition to official government services such as post offices and DMV locations, many schools across the state will also be closed on Monday.

According to the Illinois State Board of Education, Columbus Day is one of the “statutory school holidays” that does not count toward the mandatory 176-day school year.

The following days are considered “legal school holidays” in Illinois:

• New Year (January 1st)
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day (third Monday in January)
• Lincoln’s Birthday (February 12)
• Casimir Pulaski Day (first Monday in March)
• Memorial Day (last Monday in May)
• 19th National Freedom Day (June 19)
• Independence Day (July 4th)
• Labor Day (first Monday in September)
• Columbus Day (second Monday in October)
• General Election Day (November 5, 2024)
• Veterans Day (November 11)
• Thanksgiving Day (fourth Thursday in November)
• Christmas Day (December 25th)

Many districts choose to observe Presidents’ Day instead of Lincoln’s birthday on the third Monday in February, which must be marked as an “out of attendance” day rather than a legal school holiday.

Although most schools across the state will remain closed for Columbus Day, the State Board also reiterates that school activities will be permitted on Columbus Day, in addition to Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Lincoln’s Birthday, Casimir Pulaski Day and Veterans Day.

Chicago Public Schools will be closed Monday but will remain open on Veterans Day, Lincoln’s Birthday and Casimir Pulaski Day.

Some of the region’s largest suburban districts, Indian Prairie School District No. 204, which primarily serves students from Aurora, Naperville, Bolingbrook and Plainfield, will close in observance of Columbus Day.

Elgin Area School District U46 will also be closed Monday to observe both Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples Day.

Community High School District 218, which serves students in several immediate southwest suburbs including Palos Heights, Oak Lawn and Blue Island, is also closed for the holiday.

For more information about each school’s calendar, visit the district’s website.