Lewis University to keep Oak Brook campus closed until March 14

Lewis University plans to keep its Oak Brook campus closed through March 14 because U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has opened an office in the building.

All classes and activities are shifting to alternative formats or locations, the university announced Thursday.

College of Business classes are being conducted online. Radiography and nursing programs are doing a combination of online and alternate locations.

The university has rented space in an office building at 1111 W. 22nd St. since 2013. College officials learned a week ago that ICE has also leased space in the building. They then closed the campus Monday.

“The temporary change is aligned with Lewis University’s Catholic and Lasallian mission,” Kathrynne Skonicki, the university’s executive director for public relations and communications, said in a news release. “It calls us to foster a respectful, supportive and inclusive environment where every individual is valued and treated with dignity. This commitment guides our decision-making, particularly when circumstances arise that may cause concern or disruption for members of our community.”

March 14 is the end of the university’s first session of 2026.

Earlier this week, a spokesman for ICE declined to confirm it had leased space in the building, saying it was concerned about employees being harassed and attacked.

Lewis University is based in Romeoville. It has had a satellite in Oak Brook for 47 years, according to Skonicki.