Despite the town's official postponement, some trick-or-treaters are going door-to-door Thursday night in Steger anyway.
This group largely has the neighborhood to themselves, but their persistence is being rewarded with little treats. No one in this group wants to wait until Friday.
"Who wants to go trick or treating on November 1st? I've never heard of such a thing," said Anika Payne, trick-or-treater.
No one is home at a lot of their stops. But they are also finding plenty of places welcoming them.
"Pretty sad for the kids. When we were growing up, we were like the postmen: sun, rain, sleet and snow," said Mary Christelli-Wall.
The sign at city hall says trick-or-treating and the annual Halloween bonfire will be Friday. The wood is all stacked and ready but it will have to wait another day, much to the disappointment of traditionalists.
"Would they postpone Christmas if there was a storm?" said Shirley Knight, resident.
One group packed up in the car and headed for Chicago Heights for trick or treating.
"It's good weather. It's rainy, but it's not cold. So it's really good for us," said Yvette Silva, trick-or-treater.
The annual Steger Halloween bonfire will be held at the same time Friday as it would have been on Thursday. Many of the residents here say they plan to do some double-dipping, and trick-or-treat on Friday as well.
Several other communities in the region also postponed Halloween activities based on the weather forecast.
"We're being very proactive to allow our kids to have a fun, safe Halloween. Again, we're not canceling Halloween per se on October 31st, we're just pushing back the ability to pick up the candy one extra day," said Mayor David Uran, Crown Point.
The rain continued to fall Thursday in Crown Point, Indiana. Three inches fell overnight, with more on the way. Retention ponds were filled to the brim, so the town made the decision to postpone Thursday night's trick or treating to tomorrow night.
"The kids are all ready for it, they're psyched up, we have little ones-- how do you tell them trick-or-treating has been canceled?" said Tricia Perry, resident.
There's always the risk of political blowback when elected officials tinker with significant events, but Crown Point's Mayor says 'safety first,' and a number of neighboring towns have followed his lead.
The kids today were in school and unavailable for consultation, but one costumed adult says the postponement may afford him two bites at the apple.
"Well, the good thing about it is that we can do both towns now," said an adult trick-or-treater.
The following towns in Illinois and Indiana have announced official trick-or-treating times that have moved to November 1.
Illinois
Crete - FRIDAY 3 to 6 p.m. or 3 to 7 p.m. if accompanied by a parent
Steger - FRIDAY 3 to 7 p.m.
Indiana
Crown Point - FRIDAY 5 to 7 p.m.
Winfield - FRIDAY 5 to 7 p.m.
LaPorte - FRIDAY 6 to 8 p.m.
Portage - FRIDAY 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
