5 kids hospitalized after smoking vape pen at Chicago school

Want to see more of NewsNation? Get 24/7 fact-based news coverage with the NewsNation app or add NewsNation as a preferred source on Google!

CHICAGO (WGN) — Five children were taken to hospitals after reportedly smoking a vape pen in gym class at a Chicago elementary school Wednesday.

According to the Chicago Fire Department, the children were transported to local hospitals after reportedly “smoking a substance” at Harvard Elementary School in Chicago’s Grand Crossing neighborhood just before 2 p.m. Wednesday.

A source told NewsNation affiliate WGN in Chicago that the students were on a field trip to Lincoln Park Zoo on Tuesday when one of them picked up a discarded vape pen and brought it to school Wednesday.

According to the Chicago Police Department, several students vaped during gym class. It’s unclear what substance the vape pen contained.

The children involved are reportedly 9 to 10 years old and are all in good condition, according to the CFD.

WGN has reached out to Chicago Public Schools for comment but has yet to hear back.

Midwest

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.