Plenty of business and offices will be closed on Monday, but that’s not because it’s the day after the Bears’ big NFC Divisional Round playoff game at Soldier Field vs the Los Angeles Rams.
It’s because Monday, Jan. 19 is Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Though King’s birthday was on Jan. 15, the federal holiday honoring the civil rights icon is observed on the third Monday of every January each year. As part of the day, some schools will be closed. But what about banks, the stock market, museums and more?
Here’s what’s open and closed Monday.
Are schools closed Monday?
According to the Illinois State Board of Education, Martin Luther King Jr. Day isn’t considered a “legal school holiday.” However, the board does indicate that districts can choose to celebrate it. In those cases, the district considers it a “Not in Attendance” day, which means “no students are engaged in learning as determined by the local school board.
According to Chicago Public Schools’ calendar for 2025-26, the district observes the day as a holiday, which means schools are closed to teachers and students.
For students in the Illinois districts that do have school on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a law recently passed allows excused absences in exchange for engaging in a civic activity.
House Bill 5488, which took effect Jan. 1, 2023, states that any public middle or high school student will be permitted at least one “day-long excused absence from school to engage in a civic event.”
According to the bill’s text, a “civic event” is defined by an “event sponsored by a non-profit organization or government entity that is open to the public,” and can include “an artistic or cultural performance or educational gathering that supports the mission of the sponsoring non-profit organization.”
Public Libraries
Many public libraries across the state, including branches of the Chicago Public Library, will be closed Monday.
USPS, UPS, FedEx
Illinois post offices will be closed Monday, with no mail service.
UPS also does not do pickup or delivery service on the holiday, and many locations are closed, according to the company.
Although post offices will be closed, FedEx will continue deliveries, though some have “modified hours.”
FedEx, the company said, has “modified service,” with FedEx Office expected to be open.
Stock Market
The New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ are closed Monday, Jan. 19. Regular trading hours will resume Tuesday.
Chicago-area museums
Many museums and cultural centers across the state remain open, with some even having free days for Illinois residents.
As part of the Art Institute of Chicago’s “Free Winter Weekdays,” the museum will be free on Monday, Jan. 19 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. for Illinois residents.
The Chicago History Museum, Shedd Aquarium and Chicago Botanic Garden will also have free admission days on Monday, Jan. 19.
Illinois DMVs
All Illinois Secretary of State Offices, including driver services facilities will be closed, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Banks
According to the Federal Reserve Bank, the federal holiday means banks are closed.
Retail, Restaurants, Grocery Stores
While most government functions will not be operating on Monday, most grocery stores, big box stores and restaurants will remain open.
Major chain stores such as Target, Costco, Walmart, The Home Depot, Jewel-Osco and Mariano’s will remain open on the holiday.
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