03/09/2026
On Friday, March 6, 2026 at approximately 8:30am, Officers from the Richton Park Police Department, Cook County Sheriff’s Police, Illinois State Police, and Rich Township High School (RTHS) School Security were assigned to the High School campus for a Silent Walk-Out/Protest. School Administration previously confirmed that the event was to occur on the football field to ensure the safety & security of the students in attendance.
At approximately 8:47am, students began to exit the high school building and proceeded to the football field, with the assistance of school faculty, staff and administrators. An estimated 500-700 students immediately turned around, exited the football field, and immediately proceeded to exit campus.
A host of students began to march, impeding traffic on Sauk Trail. Officers were tasked with blocking traffic at all major intersections, ranging from the 5000 block of Sauk Trail, to the 3700 block of Sauk Trail. Additional police units were notified for assistance, as students crowded roadways and parking lots, to include the Metra parking lots as well. Businesses were notified and staged with officers, including Village Hall. Multiple Police units, the Richton Park Fire Department, and Richton Park Public Works Department, all assisted with traffic safety and directing students to safely walk and return to the Rich Township High School campus. Officers and school administration assisted with entering area businesses where students congregated, in an attempt to safely return the youth to campus.
At approximately 11:01am, all assisting units were released upon confirming that students were safely returned to the school campus. There were no injuries to any students, bystanders, business patrons, or motorists during the event. There is no reported criminal damage or any other incidents of concern relative to the school event. School Administration confirmed that the Fine Arts and Communications (FAC) campus was safely secured without incident.
The Richton Park Police Department would like to thank all of the assisting agencies that responded, to include the Illinois State Police, Cook County Sheriff’s Police, the Richton Park Fire Department and Public Works Department.
