Labor Day 2018: What's Open And Closed In Wilmette

WILMETTE, IL — Labor Day marks the unofficial end of summer for most Americans. It offers one last chance for a vacation on the last long weekend before the weather begins to turn. A federal holiday since 1894, the first Monday in September was originally set aside for parades to honor the American worker and appease the labor movement.

The law designating it as a holiday was quickly pushed through Congress and signed by President Grover Cleveland (in an election year) following a violent end to the Pullman railway strike. But almost 125 years later, the three-day weekend has become known more for barbecues and road trips.

Not everyone has the day off, though. Some businesses will also be offering Labor Day sales or keeping special hours, so call ahead to be sure.

Here's a roundup of what's closed and what'll be open in Wilmette, plus a look at some fun events happening in Chicagoland.

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Schools: All schools will be closed for the day, a week after most students had their first day of school.

Local Government: Village Hall and city, county, state and federal government offices will be closed.

Banks: Most financial institutions will be closed.

Libraries: The Wilmette, Winnetka and Northfield branch library will be closed Sunday and Monday.

Shopping: Most big-box retailers will be open — and many are offering Labor Day deals — but smaller businesses are be closed, so it's a good idea to call ahead.

Parking: Holiday parking restrictions will be in effect. Labor Day is also the last day of beach season at the Wilmette Park District.

Trash pickup:

No refuse or recycling collection will take place in Wilmette or Kenilworth on Monday. Pickups will be pushed each day's collection back one day, so that collection normally on Monday will take place on Tuesday. Yard waste normally collected on Wednesday for all of Wilmette will instead be collected on Thursday.

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Labor Day on Metra:

• A $10 weekend pass will include Monday for Labor Day weekend; kids younger than 11 can ride for free.
• On Friday, Aug. 31, Metra operate on an Early Getaway schedule on most lines. (Full schedules are here.) On Monday, Sept. 3, Metra will operate all services on a Sunday/holiday schedule. Metra's SouthWest Service, Heritage Corridor and North Central Service lines will not operate on Labor Day.
• No alcohol will be allowed onboard Metra trains after 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 30 and Friday, Aug. 31, and all day Saturday, Sept. 1 and Sunday, Sept. 2.

TRAVEL: Labor Day Weekend 2018: Worst Times To Travel, Routes To Avoid

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