Fire Forces Closure Of Drivers Facility In Chicago Heights

CHICAGO HEIGHTS, IL — Police in Chicago Heights are investigating a number of civil unrest incidents connected to protests over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Among the reported incidents in the Heights are a fire, broken glass and attempted business burglaries.

The fire at the Secretary of State building at 570 209th St. caused an indefinite closure of the facility. The Chicago Heights Fire Department said in a statement that damage was confined to about 10 percent of the building, and that it will likely be repaired and reopened at some point.

No injuries were reported in any of the incidents of civil unrest in Chicago Heights, including the fire at the drivers' facility, as of Wednesday afternoon.

Here's the full statement from the Chicago Heights Police Department:

“In the last 24-hours, there was a reported fire at an Illinois Secretary of State facility, which is under investigation by Illinois Secretary of State police. And there were two minor, attempted burglaries at two commercial establishments and a report of broken glass at a third. No injuries have been reported. Investigations of these disturbances are ongoing. There have been no arrests.”

The temporary forced closure of the drivers' facility in Chicago Heights came a night before it was learned that another south suburban facility, the express facility located within the Orland Park Village Hall, will be closed permanently.