Will County Gazette

Illinois State Senate District 43 candidate Jen Monson addressed threats against Joliet schools, stating, "This is terrorism and I hope all those involved are prosecuted to the full extent of the law," in a September 15 Facebook post.

"Social Media is turning our youth into terrorists," said Monson, according to Facebook. "This is terrorism and I hope all those involved are prosecuted to the full extent of the law."

Monson shared a link to a post from the Joliet Police Department. According to the department, "The Joliet Police Department is aware of an unsubstantiated threat circulating on social media regarding the safety of schools in the Joliet area. While no credible evidence has been found to support this threat, we take the safety of students and staff at all local schools very seriously. As such, we are currently investigating the origins of this social media message and we have been communicating closely with school officials throughout the various Joliet area school districts. We will be providing an increased presence to school locations within the Joliet area overnight and during arrival times to those schools that are proceeding with an in-person school day."

Screenshot of Jen Monson's Sept.15 Facebook post | Jen Monson for IL State Senate District 43 Facebook page

A September 16 report on CBS News indicated that buildings were closed in Joliet District 86 and students moved to e-learning due to threats spreading on social media. The district shared a statement with CBS News, which said, "Out of an abundance of caution, all Joliet District 86 schools will be closed tomorrow, Monday, September 16, 2024, and an e-learning day will be used. The safety and security of our students and staff is our top priority," said Joliet District 86 Superintendent Theresa Rouse wrote in a letter to the school community."

ABC 7 reported on September 17 that two teenage girls, aged 12 and 14, were arrested in connection with online threats. After officers interviewed one girl and her mother on September 15 and found no weapons, they released her. On September 16, she returned to the police department with her mother where she admitted involvement in creating a bogus threat on social media. She was arrested and charged with Felony Disorderly Conduct - Transmitting a Threat of Destruction of School Property or Violence, Death or Bodily Harm Against Persons at School.

Another incident involved a 12-year-old who was arrested for an unfounded social media threat focused on Dirksen Junior High School in Joliet. She was processed for Felony Disorderly Conduct before being released into her parents’ custody.

Monson is a mother of three and works as a paraprofessional directly with children with disabilities according to her campaign website. She is also an active member of the local school board with two decades of experience as a business owner.