As of Wednesday afternoon, the Illinois State Police is reporting local law enforcement in 19 counties, totaling 21 calls, received threats directed towards schools on Wednesday. Responders have not located any actual threats as a result of these calls. The ISP Statewide Terrorism and Intelligence Center currently has no information concerning credible threats related to school safety. Law enforcement, public safety, and private sector security officials are encouraged to remain vigilant and report all suspicious behavior to local police agencies.
Communities in Illinois, and across the country, are experiencing what is referred to as swatting – dangerous and illegal fake calls about an active shooter situation, typically at a school. While state and national intelligence agencies have seen a pattern of these fake calls, each call is taken seriously.
Counties in Illinois that reported calls Wednesday include:
Champaign in Champaign County
Springfield in Sangamon County
Chicago in Cook County
Freeport in Stephenson County
Aurora in DuPage County
Marion in Williamson County
Carbondale in Jackson County
Rockford in Winnebago County
Murphysboro in Jackson County
Mount Vernon in Jefferson County
Vienna in Johnson County
Dixon in Lee County
Decatur in Macon County
Granite City in Madison County
Collinsville in Madison County
Centralia in Marion County
Bloomington in McLean County
Jacksonville in Morgan County
Peoria in Peoria County
Pittsfield in Pike County
Eldorado in Saline County
