(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Libraries across Chicagoland were targeted with fake bomb threats on Thursday, just two days after a wave of similar threats prompted evacuations and police responses at public libraries in Chicago, Aurora, Addison, Evanston and Schaumburg.
Due to Thursday's threats, police closed or temporarily closed libraries in Chicago, Aurora, Addison, Evanston and Joliet.
“We find ourselves in an incredibly unfortunate time where libraries are being threatened for the inclusive role we play,” said a Chicago Public Library spokesperson.
Chicago, Joliet and Aurora libraries reopened, but following the attacks, officials with Aurora Public Library disabled the library’s online chat feature. Addison and Evanston libraries remained closed for the remainder of Thursday.
This was the third time that fake bomb threats targeted local libraries in the past 30 days. None of the threats have been real. Nonetheless, many libraries have been closed out of an abundance of caution.
Libraries have recently become the targets of protests over the availability of material dealing with gender identity and expression.
In response to earlier threats, Illinois American Civil Liberties Union spokesman Ed Yohnka said his organization is urging people to visit their libraries, show support for librarians and attend library board meetings.
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