SYCAMORE (Azat TV) – A powerful winter storm system has triggered widespread closures across DeKalb County on Monday, March 16, 2026, as a blizzard warning forced district officials to shutter classrooms and shift to emergency protocols. The severe weather, which began late Sunday, has disrupted daily operations for thousands of students and prompted the closure of essential government facilities.
DeKalb County School Closures and Operational Shifts
Multiple school districts within the county confirmed full closures for Monday, prioritizing student safety amid dangerous travel conditions. DeKalb School District 428, Genoa-Kingston School District 424, and Hiawatha School District 426 have officially canceled all classes and activities. Other institutions, including Hinckley-Big Rock School District 429 and Indian Creek School District 425, have pivoted to e-learning days to maintain continuity of instruction.
Higher education has also been affected, with Northern Illinois University moving all instruction to virtual platforms between 12 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday. Private institutions, including St. Mary School in DeKalb and St. Mary’s Catholic School in Sycamore, have also implemented remote learning mandates.
Disruption to Government Services and Election Activities
The impact of the storm extends beyond the classroom. The DeKalb County Clerk and Recorder’s Office announced that all county government offices, including the DeKalb County Courthouse, are closed today. This disruption has directly hindered the final day of early voting ahead of the March 17 primary election. Officials confirmed that the situation will be reassessed at 1:00 p.m. to determine if facilities can safely reopen.
Regional Weather Context and Safety Measures
The National Weather Service issued the blizzard warning as part of a larger, severe weather system pushing through Northern and Eastern regions of the United States. While some neighboring regions in Georgia and Alabama reported only delayed starts, the intensity of the blizzard in the DeKalb area necessitated immediate, total shutdowns. Local authorities continue to urge residents to monitor official district channels and the county clerk’s website for further updates on potential recovery timelines.
The scale of these closures, particularly the interruption of early voting on the eve of a primary election, highlights the severity of this weather system and its capacity to stall critical civic and administrative functions across the county.