Law enforcement authorities in Iroquois County engaged in a manhunt Wednesday for a man suspected in a sexual assault aboard an Amtrak train in Gilman.  As a result, the Iroquois West School District went on lock-down.  And today (Thursday), the district has put an emergency day in place.  School is not in session.

The school district posted its emergency message that "a decision was made Wednesday night" to cancel classes for Thursday.

Police agencies were searching for a suspect alleged to have sexually assaulted a female passenger on a train.  Several officers are looking for 33-year-old Joel T. Smith.  The Michigan man fled from the Amtrak train at the Gilman Station.  He was seen on foot headed east near the K & H Truck Plaza.  Smith is a Hispanic male with a tattoo on the front of his neck.  He is considered dangerous and anyone seeing him should call 9-1-1.

Iroquois County Sheriff's Police reported a female juvenie claimed she was assaulted by a passenger on the train, later identified as Joel Smith.  Smith fled the train befire deputies arrived.  Illinois State Police, Kankakee County and City Police, Bradley Police and KAMEG are all involved in the search.   

94.1 WGFA