Officials in several Chicago suburbs are warning residents to be on alert as potential protests and vandalism are being reported across the area Sunday afternoon.
Here are the latest headlines from the NBC 5 Newsroom:
8:30 p.m.: State of Emergency Declared in Aurora, Putting Curfew in Place
Aurora's Mayor Richard Irvin declared a State of Emergency in the city Sunday, putting a curfew for the municipality "due to the widespread incidents of violence, vandalism and stealing throughout the area."
“Today we hosted a peaceful protest at the Aurora Police Department,” Irvin said in a statement. "However, once the protest ended, the crowd dispersed and then grew substantially with other participants throughout the streets of Aurora. While Chief Ziman and I were honored to participate in the initial protest, we will not tolerate lawlessness in our city.”
The curfew began at 8:30 p.m. Sunday and ends at 6 a.m. Monday. Residents were asked to remain at home.
In addition, all Interstate 88 entrance ramps to Aurora will be closed during the curfew. Aurora residential or employment identification will be required to enter from the interstate.
Local
6:44 p.m.:
Both Calumet City and Chicago Ridge have decided to implement curfews.
A curfew will start 8 p.m. and last until 6 a.m. Monday in Calumet City following reports of looting and damaged buildings in the area of River Oaks Mall.
In Chicago Ridge, a curfew will go into effect from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., meaning essential travel will only be allowed. Chicago Ridge Mall was closed as a precaution Sunday evening, and village officials urged other local businesses to close as well.
5:18 p.m.:
You can add Oak Lawn to the list of suburban communities that have imposed mandatory curfews this evening, as police there will enforce a curfew beginning at 9 p.m.:
Officials say the curfew is being called "out of caution," but that it is fully staffed and prepared to respond to any emergency calls.
5:05 p.m.:
Law enforcement officials in Kankakee County have issued a "precautionary stay-at-home" advisory amid unconfirmed reports of looting in the county and surrounding areas Sunday.
Saying that no looting or shooting reports have been verified at this time, county officials are still asking residents to stay in their homes as a precaution.
Other communities, including Tinley Park and Blue Island, have already instituted mandatory curfews Sunday amid reports of vandalism and looting in various locations in the south suburbs.
4:56 p.m.:
The Cook County Sheriff’s Police have mobilized approximately 80 officers, including members of the Hostage/Barricade team, to assist the Chicago Police Department, and suburban police departments, in response to protests around the area Sunday.
The news comes as numerous suburbs report potential looting and protesting Sunday, while others, including Tinley Park and Blue Island, have imposed mandatory curfews in response to the unrest.
4:40 p.m.
Officials in suburban Blue Island have announced a citywide curfew beginning at 7 p.m. Sunday amid reports of looting and protests:
All businesses in the city are required to close by 7 p.m., and the curfew will be in effect until 7 a.m. Monday, according to city officials.
4:15 p.m.:
In suburban Tinley Park, a citywide curfew has been ordered effective at 8 p.m. Sunday due to protests and looting in the city, according to authorities:
Tinley Park residents are also being asked to remain indoors due to “protests and civil unrest," according to a Facebook post by city officials.
Protests are occurring near Orland Square Mall and near 159th Street and LaGrange Road, according to Orland Park police.
“The Orland Park Police Department is working to address these issues,” the statement read. “Many stores have closed for the day. Please avoid the mall area as well as 159th and LaGrange, as there is active police activity.”
In suburban New Lenox, residents received a “Nixle” alert advising them to “stay close to home and remain vigilant,” as protesters are making their way through the Lincoln-Way area.
Police in suburban Calumet City are asking residents to stay home “if at all possible” due to heightened police activity, especially near River Oaks Drive and Torrance Avenue:
The Mokena Chamber of Commerice is also warning of potential groups of protesters, and is encouraging residents to remain vigilant.
Officials in suburban Homewood have reportedly asked all businesses to close as a precaution Sunday due to concerns over protests and looting, according to the Homewood-Flossmoor Chronicle.
Authorities in suburban Downers Grove were responding to reports of looting at a Best Buy location in the 1400 block of Butterfield Road, and village officials are encouraging residents to stay in their homes and for businesses to close immediately:
In Kankakee County, sheriff’s deputies are responding to calls of looters at Northfield Square Mall in Bradley, and are encouraging residents and motorists to avoid the area if at all possible:
In Aurora, a protest has shut down exit ramps off of Interstate 88 at both Farnsworth Avenue and Eola Road, and police are encouraging motorists to seek alternate routes:
Stay tuned to NBC 5 for all the latest details.
