If you need to reach someone at Northern Public Radio today, email is still the best way to go! Much of Northern Illinois University's phone system has been down since a lightning strike on campus at 8:30 Wednesday morning.
Some phone service has been restored, including WNIJ's newsroom number. NIU says in a news release that about 40% of phones have been restored on campus. Voicemail is still not available.
The DeKalb campus is affected, as well as NIU facilities in Hoffman Estates, Naperville, Rockford and at the NIU Family Health, Wellness and Literacy Center, according to a news release from the university.
NIU Public Safety Director Bill Nicklas says that police on campus are still able to receive emergency calls.
The internet and email systems have not been damaged, and cell phones still work. As of early afternoon Wednesday, NIU officials could not estimate when service would be restored.