
Police say no explosives were found at a school in Lincolnshire after a bomb threat that resulted in an explosives canine indicating a potential device was in the school Monday morning.
Lincolnshire–Prairie View School District 103 Superintendent Scott Warren sent a message to families in the district about the situation.
Warren said Daniel Wright Junior High School received a computer-recorded voicemail message saying there was a bomb in the building.
District 103 Communications Coordinator Margaret Van Duch said the message, left on the student attendance line, was received at 7:34 p.m. Sunday but was not listened to until 7:30 a.m. Monday.
School officials immediately evacuated the school and notified the police, Warren said.
Police departments from throughout Lake and Cook counties responded to the school around 8 a.m. Monday.
Numerous fire departments from throughout the area were also dispatched to the school.
A Great Lakes police bomb-sniffing canine responded to search the building and surrounding property, Van Duch said.
The canine made an indication on an area storing electrical equipment, according to Lincolnshire Police Department Deputy Chief Kimberly Covelli.
The Waukegan Fire Department Bomb Squad was called to the scene due to the indication.
Covelli said the Waukegan Fire Department sent bomb technicians to conduct a further evaluation.
An investigation of the area revealed the indication by the canine was possibly caused by the electrical equipment housed in the area.
A thorough and complete search was conducted of the entire school and property and no bombs or other explosives were located, Covelli said.
Warren said students who were on the bus or already at the school were taken to a secure location away from the school.
There were no threats made to Sprague and Half Day Schools, which were operating normally on Monday.
In an update, Warren confirmed to parents the building was safe for students and staff.
“In times of adversity, it is the strength and unity of our community that shines through, and I am incredibly grateful for the support you have shown during the Daniel Wright evacuation today. Your understanding, cooperation, and resilience have been truly commendable, and I want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude,” Warren said.
“The safety and well-being of our students are of paramount importance to us, and your partnership in navigating the challenges we faced has been invaluable. Your quick response, patience, and trust in District 103’s efforts enabled us to uphold a secure environment and reunify you with your child,” he added.
School officials at South Elgin High School also reported a bomb threat toward the school Monday morning.
They said they received an anonymous bomb threat call believed to be a “swatting” incident. It is unclear whether the threats at both schools are related.