Lemont Issues Curfew In Joint Cook County Effort

LEMONT, IL — Lemont has issued a 9 p.m. curfew village-wide until 6 a.m. Monday. As several nearby towns like Orland Park, New Lenox, Frankfort and Mokena issue alerts to their residents about reports of protesters coming to the area, the Lemont Police Department continues to monitor the situation.

"We have been advised by our partners in Cook County that imposing a local curfew will assist in the efforts of law enforcement in the region," the village said.

There are currently no signs of unrest in Lemont. The curfew is to assist the efforts of regional law enforcement.

Lemont Police Commander Thad Mezyk told Patch the department is aware of Twitter and social media comments and are taking precautions including working with the state police to verify any and all threats.

Additional personnel were also called in earlier Sunday, Mezyk said.

The village is recommending businesses close by 9 p.m. Sunday and remain closed until 6 a.m. Monday.

"Additionally, police resources locally and in the region are being deployed," the village said. "We recommend staying off the roadway so public safety officials can respond efficiently to incidents as they may arise."

Most of the larger stores in Lemont have closed Sunday due to precautionary measure. In the commercial plaza at Archer Avenue and State Street, village of Lemont snow plows have blocked access to Target, Kohl's and Home Goods.

After rioting and looting in the city of Chicago on Saturday, the Illinois National Guard has now been deployed.

"Governor Pritzker —at my request — has ordered a contingent of the National Guard to maintain a limited presence in support of our police department in order to ensure we don't have a repeat of last night. This wasn't an easy decision. I did it at the request of and in consultation with Supt. Brown. But it surely is the right decision in this moment," Mayor Lightfoot said Sunday morning.

Protests are being reported all over the country after the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was charged Friday with third-degree murder and manslaughter in connection with the death of George Floyd after his arrest Monday.

Chauvin is the officer who was seen with his knee on Floyd's neck during the arrest. Floyd, 46, later died after saying that he was struggling to breathe during the arrest, video shows.