Presidents Day 2026 in Illinois: What's Open, Closed

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Presidents Day on Monday, February 16, 2026, is a federal holiday, but not every government office in Illinois will be closed. Most public schools, banks, the stock exchange, and the U.S. Postal Service will be closed, while retail stores, restaurants, and bars will generally remain open. The National Park Service is offering free admission on Presidents Day, which is legally known as Washington's Birthday and is celebrated on the third Monday in February.

Why it matters

Presidents Day is a significant federal holiday that impacts the operations of many government agencies, businesses, and services across Illinois. Understanding what is open and closed is important for residents and visitors to plan their activities accordingly.

The details

On Presidents Day, most government buildings, including Secretary of State facilities, county offices, and courts, will be closed. Trash collection schedules may vary by municipality. Most libraries in the state will also be closed. However, retail stores, restaurants, and bars will generally remain open, unless they are typically closed on Mondays. The National Park Service is offering free admission on Presidents Day, which is the first of several 'patriotic' free entrance days planned for 2026.

• Presidents Day is observed on Monday, February 16, 2026.
• The Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which took effect in 1971, moved the celebration of Washington's Birthday from February 22 to the third Monday in February.
• Flag Day on June 14, 2026, which is also President Donald Trump's 80th birthday, was added to the National Park Service's schedule of fee-free admission days.

What’s next

The National Park Service's revised schedule of fee-free admission days for 2026, including the addition of Flag Day on June 14, will be closely watched to see if the changes are well-received by the public.