The winter storm that is dumping several inches of snow on the area Friday through Saturday morning, accompanied by winds gusting to 40-45 mph, is causing closures and events cancellations.
Snowfall totals Friday are ranging from 4 to 5.5 inches across Will County. More snow is expected off and on through Saturday noon.
In addition to schools closing or going to remote learning, other entities are deciding to close today and adjusting weekend schedules.
Forest District of Will County
Forest Preserve District of Will County visitor centers will be closed to the public on Friday. Preserves also are closed and will open if operations crews can clear the parking lots and entrance roads of snow and police determine the preserves are safe for visitors, according to a release from the forest district.
Visitor centers that will be closed on Friday are:
Four Rivers Environmental Education Center in Channahon, Hidden Oaks Nature Center in Bolingbrook, Isle a la Cache Museum in Romeoville, Plum Creek Nature Center in Crete Township near Beecher and Sugar Creek Administration Center in Joliet.
The Forest Preserve District of Will County’s Eagle Watch event scheduled for Saturday at Four Rivers Environmental Education Center in Channahon has been canceled due to the winter storm and it will not be rescheduled. Self-guided, eagle-themed activities and crafts will be available at the center from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, Jan. 16 through Jan. 20, according to a news release from the forest preserve.
All other forest Preserve programs scheduled for Friday and Saturday have been canceled and registrants are being notified via email, according to the release.
Updates will be posted online on the Current Headlines section of the Forest Preserve’s website, ReconnectWithNature.org.
Hairbangers Ball
Corrigan’s Pub in Shorewood is closed due to weather. It will reschedule Friday night’s Hairbangers Ball event.
New Lenox VFW fish fry
Harry E. Anderson Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9545 in New Lenox has canceled its Friday fish fry due to weather.
Rialto Square Theatre
The box office and administrative offices for the Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet are closed Friday due to weather and Monday in observance of Martin Luther King Day. Order tickets online at rialtosquare.com/shows.
University of St. Francis
Due to anticipated hazardous weather conditions, all University of St. Francis campuses in Joliet will be closed on Friday. As a result, all student activities for all students at all Joliet campuses have been canceled for the day