Chicago, Illinois – High school students across Illinois are planning coordinated walkouts Friday, prompting increased monitoring by school officials and local police.
According to statements from multiple municipal police departments, students may leave class during the school day to participate in demonstrations tied to immigration enforcement policies. Officials said officers will maintain a presence near campuses and surrounding roadways to ensure public safety.
Organizers and elected officials in several communities have described the events as peaceful protests in support of immigrant communities and in opposition to federal ICE enforcement actions. Social media posts circulating this week reference participation from schools in Cook County, DuPage County and other suburban districts.
Police departments emphasized that while individuals have the right to assemble lawfully, students are expected to comply with school rules and avoid blocking roadways or engaging in unsafe activity. Some departments reminded parents to discuss potential school and legal consequences associated with walking out during instructional hours.
In recent days, demonstrations involving students have been reported in suburbs including Northlake, Downers Grove and Mundelein, with crowds gathering near major intersections and business corridors. No widespread arrests were immediately reported in those events.
Organizers have claimed that similar protests are being coordinated in multiple states Friday, with participation potentially reaching into the hundreds of thousands nationwide. Those figures have not been independently verified.
The planned walkouts could affect afternoon traffic near high schools, particularly for commuters and student drivers during dismissal periods.
Authorities said they will continue monitoring developments and adjust staffing as needed.
