4 children killed when car slams into after-school program in Chatham, Illinois, near Springfield

Four children between the ages of 4 and 18 died Monday when a vehicle plowed into a building housing an after-school program in the central Illinois town of Chatham, state police said.

Illinois state Police said they were called to the YNOT Outdoors Summer and After School Camp, at 301 Breckenridge Rd. in Chatham, after a vehicle crashed into the east side of the building at about 3:20 p.m.

The car hit multiple people outside the building before plowing right through it, striking many people inside, state police said. The vehicle exited through the wall of the opposite side of the building.

Several injured people were taken to local hospitals by ambulance and one by a life flight helicopter, police said. 

Police aid the driver was not hurt in the crash but was taken to a hospital for evaluation. 

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker said he was "horrified and deeply saddened" by the deadly incident. "Our community lost a group of bright and innocent young people with their whole lives ahead of them," Pritzker wrote in a post on X. "My heart is heavy for these families and the unimaginable grief they are experiencing — something that no parent should ever have to endure."

Pritzker said his administration was closely monitoring the situation, and wrote, "Let's wrap our arms around the community tonight as we receive updates on the situation."

Illinois state Sen. Doris Turner (D-Springfield), who represents the area, issued a statement:

"When we drop our kids off in the morning, we should always have the utmost belief that they will come home safely at the end of the day. For some families, that belief was shaken today following the tragedy at Y.N.O.T. in Chatham.

"I am heartbroken — there truly are no words to explain what the Chatham community is feeling and will feel for days, weeks and months to come. I want to thank the first responders, law enforcement and volunteers. My office and I are ready to assist in any way we can. I've been in contact with local authorities and will pass along relevant information as it becomes available."

Chatham Village Trustee Kristen Chiaro posted on Facebook that the Chatham Baptist Church would be the reunification point for families with children at the center. Near the scene, traffic was shut down on Walnut Street between Park Street and Gordon Drive.

Chatham is about 12 miles south of Springfield in Sangamon County. It is not to be confused with the South Side Chicago neighborhood of Chatham.

The investigation into the incident continued Monday night.