UPDATE:Theft of catalytic converters from buses causes Bourbonnais Elementary district to cancel classes today

BOURBONNAIS — Classes have been canceled today for Bourbonnais Elementary District students following the theft of the catalytic converters from the school buses.

“Officers were called to the bus garage this morning for theft of catalytic converters,” Bourbonnais Interim Police Chief Dave Anderson said in a text message to the Daily Journal.

Police were still on scene, Anderson said.

The school posted the announcement at approximately 7 a.m. today on Facebook:

“BESD53 Families,

Due to an issue at our transportation center, our entire fleet of buses has been left inoperable. School will be closed for today, April 24, 2025. Further communication will be sent out later today.”

Anderson said 21 buses, which is the district’s fleet, were damaged. The buses were all outside at the district’s bus maintenance facility along Career Center Road near the Liberty Intermediate school.

One catalytic converter was recovered at the scene.

Anderson noted the facility is gated and security cameras monitor the site.

He said it appeared entry to the site was gained by digging under the fence and cutting the fence.

The value of catalytic converters is the copper which they contain. The copper can be redeemed at scrapyards.

Anderson said scrapyard operators have been made aware of this situation.