Rabid bat found in Arlington Hts. village hall

A bat that was found on the fourth floor of Arlington Heights’ village hall tested positive for rabies, officials announced Wednesday.

An Arlington Heights Police Department employee discovered the bat in the department’s crime lab, which is temporarily on the fourth floor of the building, 33 S. Arlington Heights Road. The village’s animal warden killed the bat, and it was sent to the Cook County Department of Animal and Rabies Control.

The Department of Animal and Rabies Control confirmed the positive test Tuesday.

Village officials said the bat entered through a small hole toward the top of the building.

A wildlife control company was called in to check for other bats and seal any holes in the building, said James McCalister, director of building and health services for Arlington Heights.

“We are not using the fourth floor until the company that we hired takes care of everything,” McCalister said. The process could take between four and six days.

Officials said the 3-inch-long brown bat did not bite anyone, but it is not clear how long it was in the building.

The fourth floor of the building is not open to the public.