Are schools closed? – NBC Chicago

Inauguration Day 2025, which marks the day President-elect Donald Trump is sworn into office, is coming up on Monday. Jan 20 In Washington DC, the day of events in addition to the commencement ceremony, which will take place at 11 CT.

Monday will also see many businesses and schools closed across the country, but not because the new president is being sworn in.

This year, this inauguration day also falls on the federal holiday Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The last time that happened was in January 1997, when President Bill Clinton’s second inauguration also took place on MLK Day.

So what exactly is closed on Monday 20 January, what’s open and what’s happening on Inauguration Day? Here’s a breakdown.

What is closed on Monday for Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Schools

According to Illinois State Board of EducationMartin Luther Kind Jr. Day is not considered a “legal school holiday”. However, the board states that the districts can choose to celebrate it. In these cases, the district considers it a “not present” day, meaning “no student is engaged in learning as determined by the local school board.

Chicago Public Schools are closed on Monday, January 20, according to CPS’s 2024-25 calendar. According to CPS’ calendar, Tuesday, Jan. 21 will also see closures, as it is listed as a “school improvement day” with a “student non-participation day.”

For students in Illinois districts that have school on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a recent law may apply that allows them an excused absence in exchange for engaging in a civic activity.

House Bill 5488, which took effect on January 1, 2023, states that every public middle or high school student will be allowed at least one “day-long excused absence from school to participate in a civic event.”

According to the bill’s text, a “civic event” is defined as an “event sponsored by a non-profit organization or governmental entity that is open to the public” and may include “an artistic or cultural performance or educational gathering that supports the mission of the sponsoring non-profit organization.”

Public libraries

Many public libraries across the state, including branches of the Chicago Public Library, are closed.

Postal delivery

USPS will be closed on MLK Day and mail will not be delivered. According to officials, the day is one of 11 holidays that the USPS will be closed for in 2025.

UPS is also closed on MLK Day, the company saidwhile FedEx will have “changed service.”

the offices of the Secretary of State

All Illinois Secretary of State offices, including driver service facilities, will be closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Banks

According to the Federal Reserve Bank, the federal holiday means closings.

Retail, restaurants, convenience stores

While most public functions will not be operating on Monday, most convenience stores, big box stores and restaurants will remain open.

Major chain stores such as Target, Costco and Walmart will remain open for the holiday.

What happens on Inauguration Day?

Inauguration Day is the day when the new US president is officially sworn in.

According to the provisions of 20^th Amending the United States Constitutionthe new president officially takes office on January 20, unless that date falls on a Sunday. In that situation, the inauguration would take place on January 21.

Prior to the passage of the 20th Amendment, the new president had taken office on March 4.

So what happens on the day?

In addition to the president taking office, the vice president will also take the oath of office and become vice president at noon on January 20.

The new president traditionally delivers an inaugural address on Capitol Hill following their swearing-in, with the public invited to attend the transfer of power ceremony. A military parade typically follows, as does a traditional inauguration lunch.

After the ceremony, the new president typically attends a series of inaugural events throughout the capital, including glittering balls and dances. Money raised for the inauguration is typically used to help pay for the events, including costs associated with the inauguration itself.

Money left over from the inaugural committee is expected to be used for a future Trump presidential library, according to the person, the Associated Press reported.