National Day Of Mourning For Jimmy Carter: What’s Open, Closed In IL

ILLINOIS — Mail won’t be delivered in Illinois and other federal offices will be closed Thursday, a national day of mourning to honor former President Jimmy Carter, who died Dec. 29 at age 100.

President Joe Biden declared the national day of mourning for Carter, the World War II veteran and Georgia peanut farmer whose one-term presidency evolved into a post-White House life as a distinguished diplomat, active humanitarian and Nobel Prize winner.

Biden called Carter “a man of character, courage, and compassion.”

“Through his extraordinary moral leadership, President Carter lived a noble life full of meaning and purpose,” Biden said. “And as a trusted spiritual leader, he shepherded people through seasons of pain and joy, inspiring them through the power of his example and healing them through the power of his guidance.”

Biden will deliver the eulogy at Carter’s state funeral starting at 10 a.m. Eastern Standard Time Thursday at Washington National Cathedral. Carter’s body, which had been lying in repose at the Carter Presidential Center in Atlanta since Saturday, arrived in Washington Tuesday for the three days of funeral rites. His body will lie in state until 7 a.m. Thursday in the U.S. Capitol rotunda.

In his proclamation declaring the day of mourning, Biden ordered that “all executive departments and agencies of the Federal Government shall be closed” on Thursday, except those necessary for “national security, defense, or other public need.” Federal employees will still be paid.

Here’s what will be open and closed in Illinois on the national day of mourning:

Although the U.S. Postal Service will suspend mail delivery and close post offices, there will be limited package delivery service, according to a USPS news release.

The day of mourning doesn’t affect Smithsonian museums, the National Zoo or the National Archives, which is hosting a special exhibit on Carter. National parks will be open, although administrative offices are closed.

National parks will generally be open as usual, but administrative offices will be closed. Both the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq will be closed to honor Carter. The U.S. Supreme Court and other federal courts will be closed.

Banks will open as usual because the national day of mourning isn’t an official federal holiday. Schools will generally be open, except military schools.

Carter’s funeral will be televised by multiple networks and cable channels that will offer special coverage. Here is the schedule for Carter’s funeral (all times EST and subject to change):

8:45 a.m.: The Carter family departs from Blair House via motorcade.
9 a.m.: Departure ceremony from the U.S. Capitol.
9:15 a.m.: Motorcade leaves for the Washington National Cathedral.
9:30 a.m.: Carter’s body and family members arrive at the Washington National Cathedral.
9:55 a.m.: Carter’s body is brought into the cathedral during a brief arrival ceremony.
10 a.m.: National funeral service begins.
11 a.m.: Departure from Washington National Cathedral.
11:15 a.m.: Motorcade leaves for Joint Base Andrews, Maryland.
11:45 a.m.: Carter’s body and family members arrive at Joint Base Andrews and board Special Air Mission 39.
12:15 p.m.: Special Air Mission 39 leaves for Lawson Army Airfield at Fort Moore, Georgia.
2 p.m.: Special Air Mission 39 arrives at Lawson Army Airfield and Carter’s casket is transferred to a hearse.
2:30 p.m.: Motorcade departs for Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Georgia.
3:30 p.m.: Arrival ceremony at Maranatha Baptist Church
3:45 p.m.: Private funeral service.
4:30 p.m.: Departure from Maranatha Baptist Church.
4:45 p.m.: Family members travel with the late president by motorcade through downtown Plains. The public is invited to line the motorcade route as his remains are carried through his hometown.
5:20 p.m.: The motorcade arrives at Carter’s residence for a private burial service, with a special “missing man” formation flyover conducted by the U.S. Navy in honor of the former president’s naval service and time as commander in chief.

As is customary, U.S. flags will remain at half-staff through sunset on Tuesday, Jan. 28, to honor Carter. Flags fly at half-staff for 30 days from the death of a sitting or former president under a 1954 proclamation signed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower.