chicagotribune--2020-09-23--Following Breonna Taylor decision in Kentucky, Mayor Lori Lightfoot, Gov. J.B. Pritzker, others call

Following Breonna Taylor decision in Kentucky, Mayor Lori Lightfoot, Gov. J.B. Pritzker, others call for peace after ‘a gross miscarriage of justice’

“ We will and we must continue to say her name , we will and we must continue to demand @ @ @ @ @ and we must do everything in our power to prevent any more names from being @ @ @ @ @ George Floyd or closer to home , Rekia Boyd , Laquan McDonald , too many @ @ @ @ @ .

People march north on Michigan Avenue in memory of Breonna Taylor on Sept. 23, 2020, in Chicago. Taylor was fatally shot by Louisville (Kentucky) police in March. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune)
Kellie Black said she was expecting an announcement regarding Breonna Taylor’s grand jury inquiry but didn’t think anything was amiss until businesses in her Gresham neighborhood began boarding up windows.
On Wednesday, Black joined about 100 community residents and activists who blocked off a trucking route on the South Side in a peaceful protest after a Kentucky grand jury decided not to charge any Louisville police officers for their role in Taylor’s killing.
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As trucks and buses blocked traffic, demonstrators briefly sat in the street and wrote “Breonna” in fake blood.
During the roughly hourlong protest at the center of Racine Avenue at 79th Street that included prayers and songs, the 15-year Gresham resident was caught up in the moment, swaying to gentle protest songs and raising two clenched fists in the air at the urging of a speaker.
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Black, 52, said her enthusiasm was simple. “Breonna Taylor and justice brought me here,” she said. “It’s one law for us and one law for (police). I am sick of it.”
Later in the evening, about 300 people gathered at the east end of a dark Palmer Square Park.
After about 10 minutes, the crowd began walking peacefully to Sacramento Avenue, where they turned north toward Milwaukee Avenue.
“Say her name,” a woman’s voice cried out.
“Breonna Taylor,” the crowd responded.
They passed a group of uniformed police officers on bikes.
People used their own bicycles to form a line between police and the assembled marchers.
The police on bikes then followed the crowd north.
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Dozens of demonstrators also gathered in two separate groups by The Bean in Millennium Park.
Passing cars on Michigan Avenue honked as protesters chanted, “If we don’t get it, shut it down” and, “We demand justice.” Police officers on bicycles circled the block.
About 8 p.m., the group, which had grown by several dozen, took to the street and marched northbound on Michigan Avenue. One protester, wearing a police costume and pig mascot head, stopped to take a picture with the lined up police.
On the South Side, the protest led by the Rev. Michael Pfleger of St. Sabina Church and several faith leaders, had a message: Peacefully let those who represent the status quo know you’re not happy with the Taylor decision. They said months of protests were being planned.
The name Breonna is written in fake blood at the corner of Racine and 79th St. where Father Michael Pfleger of St. Sabina led a group of about 100 people before shutting down the intersection during rush hour following the announcement of charges in the Breonna Taylor case on Sept. 23, 2020. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)
A young boy looks at the name Breonna written in the street at the corner of Racine and 79th St. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)
“We’re here tonight because we do care,” Pfleger told the crowd gathered in a circle in the intersection. “And we’re here because we want to say, ‘We object and we don’t accept it. Somebody has to be held accountable.’”
Pfleger and others such as the Rev. David Swanson from the New Community Covenant Church in Bronzeville called on people to protest throughout the city to share their outrage.
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“We need to hear her name in Wheaton. In Glen Ellyn. Naperville. We need to hear her name all over this country,” Swanson told the crowd.
The announcement in Kentucky made Gresham resident Kisha Washington and her daughter Taylor, 16, both feel compelled to participate in the protest. Washington, 40, who works in education and social justice, said the feeling that police officers escaped justice in Taylor’s case opened old wounds for African Americans that they remain second-class citizens.
“Seeing (racism) on display and so blatantly, it’s overwhelming,” she said. “At least our presence will help fill out the crowd and call attention to people who aren’t paying attention. I don’t know how you cannot be paying attention to this.”
Following the protest, Black, standing with a friend, said she hoped their message reached beyond their community, just as Taylor’s case went beyond Kentucky’s borders.
“It’s happening everywhere. You don’t know where to hide, where it’s going to strike you. If you live up North and think it ain’t gonna touch you, don’t be fooled.”
Earlier in the day, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Gov. J.B. Pritzker called for peaceful protests after the announcement in Kentucky but said they are prepared for the possibility of civil unrest.
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Lightfoot called the grand jury’s decision a setback in the fight against inequality and called for a citywide moment of silence at 7 p.m. to honor Taylor.
“Afterward, I encourage you to say her name,” Lightfoot said.
Pritzker called the decision not to bring charges “a gross miscarriage of justice."
“A grand jury in Louisville made a decision that doesn’t come close to capturing the injustice of what we know to have happened on that tragic night in March when Breonna Taylor, an innocent young woman, was killed by law enforcement officers as she slept in her own home,” Pritzker said.
Lightfoot said the decision “leaves more questions than it answers.”
“My fear is that it reinforces the deeply held notion that there are two systems of justice,” Lightfoot said.
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Before the news conference, city officials announced that the Emergency Operations Center has been activated and the city has deployed more than 300 city vehicles across Chicago “to protect neighborhood commercial corridors and critical businesses in the event of potential public safety incidents.”
Ever since civil unrest surged across the country following the Minneapolis police killing of George Floyd in May, Chicago leaders have regularly deployed garbage trucks and other city vehicles across key streets and intersections to block potentially destructive protests.
Lightfoot also has previously ordered the lifting of Chicago’s downtown bridges as a public safety measure, drawing criticism from civil libertarians and activists.
Referring to civil unrest and looting earlier this summer, Pritzker said he has readied the National Guard in case it needs to respond because “we have seen that there are people who have wanted to take advantage of these moments."
“In every circumstance we want to be prepared,” he said.
But the governor said the Guard is a “backup” and “support mechanism” for front-line law enforcement, including the Illinois State Police.
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“The reluctance here is not a reluctance to provide safety for people,” Pritzker said. “It’s just a desire to use the proper resources where they are needed at the time that they are needed.”
People march north on Michigan Avenue in memory of Breonna Taylor Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, in Chicago. Taylor was fatally shot by Louisville, Ky., police in March. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
The moves came as the Kentucky grand jury on Wednesday indicted a single former police officer for shooting into neighboring apartments but did not move forward with charges against any officers for their role in Taylor’s death.
The jury announced that fired Officer Brett Hankison was charged with three counts of wanton endangerment in connection with the police raid of Taylor’s home on the night of March 13.
At a news conference in Kentucky, state Attorney General Daniel Cameron said Hankison and the two other officers who entered Taylor’s apartment announced themselves before entering and did not use a no-knock warrant.
Lightfoot and Pritzker joined Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, the Rev. Jesse Jackson and others on Wednesday afternoon to address the decision and call for peace.
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The mayor also invoked high-profile Chicago police shootings while calling for justice.
“We will and we must continue to say her name, we will and we must continue to demand justice, and we will and we must do everything in our power to prevent any more names from being added to this roll like George Floyd or closer to home, Rekia Boyd, Laquan McDonald, too many others,” she said.
“Today’s ruling will not distract us from continuing to pursue justice and righteous change,” she said.
La'Shawn Littrice addresses the crowd during a rally to remember Breonna Taylor in the 0-100 block of North Michigan Avenue Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, in Chicago. Taylor was fatally shot by Louisville, Ky., police in March. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
Asked about police accountability in Chicago, Lightfoot spoke about the need to implement reforms and said no-knock warrants should be “extraordinarily rare.” She criticized the acquittal of police Officer Dante Servin in the killing of Rekia Boyd and of a group of officers in the Laquan McDonald case, while also noting Jason Van Dyke’s conviction.
“Are we satisfied with the way in which Black and brown people have been treated in this city historically and currently at the hands of our police department? No,” Lightfoot said. “That is why every single day we work hard to make sure that we build real authentic relationships with the police.”


chicagotribune--2020-09-23--Coronavirus in Illinois updates: 1,848 new known COVID-19 cases and 22 additional deaths reported as

Coronavirus in Illinois updates: 1,848 new known COVID-19 cases and 22 additional deaths reported as Pritzker warns northwest Illinois region could be headed for stricter regulations

And its vaccine has potentially consequential advantages over some competitors .
It uses a technology that has a long safety @ @ @ @ @ diseases .
Its vaccine could require just one shot instead of two — important considering @ @ @ @ @ the world needs vaccination .
And it does not have to be kept frozen as @ @ @ @ @ and other places where it will be given to patients , simplifying the logistics of @ @ @ @ @ .

We have lifted the paywall on this story. To support essential reporting, please consider becoming a subscriber .
Paca Kujtim of Arlington Heights self-administers a COVID-19 test in his car at the Arlington International Racecourse on March 31, 2021 in Arlington Heights. Kujtim was getting testing as a precaution for upcoming travel. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune)
Gov. J.B. Pritzker warned Wednesday the region of northwest Illinois that includes Rockford and Northern Illinois University and borders Wisconsin and Iowa could soon see stricter rules aimed at curbing the spread of coronavirus.
The nine-county region, as defined by Pritzker’s reopening plan, had a 7.5% test positivity rate as of Wednesday, which has climbed “at a concerning rate,” the governor said at a news conference in Chicago.
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The governor’s announcement came as Illinois public health officials on Wednesday reported 1,848 newly diagnosed cases and 22 additional deaths of people with COVID-19, raising the statewide tally to 279,114 known cases and 8,508 deaths.
Meanwhile, Small business owners in suburban Cook County who saw their revenue evaporate during the coronavirus pandemic could get up to $10,000 in grants by the end of the year, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle announced Wednesday.
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Here’s what’s happening Wednesday with COVID-19 in the Chicago area and Illinois:
5:10 p.m.: CPS plan for reopening schools remains unclear as parents share remote learning woes with Board of Education: ‘It’s just not working’
Wednesday’s Chicago Board of Education meeting offered little clarity for everyone who wants to know if students will be back in classrooms when second quarter begins in November.
Allison Gorsuch, who has a child in kindergarten at Pulaski International School of Chicago, called on the board to be transparent and “release criteria for reopening as soon as possible.”
“Remote learning is not developmentally appropriate for kindergartners,” she said. “... I’ve watched my student and his teacher work really hard at remote learning, but he’s 5, and it’s just not working.”
Gorsuch said she would push for reopening as soon as it was safe to do so.
“I’m not asking for schools to reopen before it’s safe, but I’m asking for this not to be a lost year for our youngest students,” she said.
She also asked for students to have access to rapid testing for COVID-19. “I believe this is the way forward.”
As parents spoke about their experiences so far with remote learning, many praised their children’s teachers but still had concerns about some of the rules, such as screen time. Though some schools have been relaxed about camera usage, others are requiring students to keep their cameras on during class in order to get credit for participating, parents said.
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A district plan that would bring some students back into buildings for special education services has met opposition from the Chicago Teachers Union, which earlier this week called the proposal “unworkable and dangerous.”
Read more here. —Hannah Leone
5:05 p.m.: Pritzker warns northwest Illinois region could be headed for stricter COVID-19 regulations
Gov. J.B. Pritzker warned Wednesday the region of northwest Illinois that includes Rockford and Northern Illinois University and borders Wisconsin and Iowa could soon see stricter rules aimed at curbing the spread of coronavirus.
The nine-county region, as defined by Pritzker’s reopening plan, had a 7.5% test positivity rate as of Wednesday, which has climbed “at a concerning rate,” the governor said at a news conference in Chicago.
Pritzker’s administration scales back reopening when a region reaches or surpasses the state-set threshold of 8% positivity rate for three consecutive days, and Illinois Department of Public Health officials have been in talks with local public health departments to discuss ways to slow the spread and prevent renewed limits on bars, restaurants and other businesses.
Read more here. —Jamie Munks
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4 p.m.: Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine advances, sparking optimism in feverish race to defend against the coronavirus
The feverish race for a coronavirus vaccine got an infusion of energy Wednesday as Johnson & Johnson announced that it has begun the final stage of its clinical trials, the fourth company to do so in the United States as the country hits a grim milestone of 200,000 deaths from the pandemic.
Johnson & Johnson is a couple of months behind the leaders, but its advanced vaccine trial will be by far the largest, enrolling 60,000 participants. The company said it could know by the end of this year if its vaccine works.
And its vaccine has potentially consequential advantages over some competitors. It uses a technology that has a long safety record in vaccines for other diseases. Its vaccine could require just one shot instead of two — important considering that the entire population of the world needs vaccination. And it does not have to be kept frozen as it is delivered to hospitals and other places where it will be given to patients, simplifying the logistics of hundreds of millions of doses.
Read more here. —The New York Times
3:20 p.m.: Indiana governor keeps mask order until mid-October, drops other restrictions on businesses and crowd sizes
Indiana’s statewide mask order will continue for another three weeks under a new order the governor announced Wednesday even as he has faced public discontent over coronavirus restrictions amid his reelection campaign.
Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb said he would be dropping most other limits on businesses and crowd sizes as of Saturday. The mask order will be extended until Oct. 17.
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Holcomb said those restrictions could be removed because the state has seen progress in recent weeks in slowing the coronavirus spread. His action lifts statewide capacity limits for restaurants and bars and crowd limits for social events.
Read more here. —Associated Press
3:01 p.m.: Empty roads, trains, buses and airports: How COVID-19 and staying at home changed how Chicago gets around
Chicago’s roads and airports were among some of the busiest in the United States before COVID-19 entered our lexicon. Public transportation by bus and rail, too, carried thousands of people between the city and suburbs each weekday.
Yet, after Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker issued a stay-at-home order for the entire state effective at 5 p.m. March 21 — six months ago — movement around the Chicago metro area halted. People stayed home in an effort to socially distance themselves from others and, as work and school have become largely home-based, continued to adjust their travel habits accordingly.
Speeds on local interstates have decreased in recent months, indicating more vehicles are now on the roads. Yet, it could take longer for airlines and public transportation to experience the same demand they experienced pre-pandemic.
Here is the latest available data by type of transportation. —Kori Rumore
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2:54 p.m.: Cook County plans to give out grants of up to $10,000 to small businesses hit hard by pandemic
Small business owners in suburban Cook County who saw their revenue evaporate during the coronavirus pandemic could get up to $10,000 in grants by the end of the year, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle announced Wednesday.
A small business assistance program will give to businesses a total $12.6 million in federal CARES Act money that was allocated to the county’s coronavirus relief fund. The county aims to serve about 1,200 businesses through these one-time payments that are slated to go out by the end of the year.
Business owners can apply at cookcountysmallbusinessassistance.com.
“Small business owners are used to dealing with the unexpected, but few have ever been through a crisis like COVID-19 before,” Preckwinkle said at a news conference at Thornton Distillery Company. “Small businesses need recovery and resilience support to weather the storm and then come out stronger on the other side of it. That’s the objective of the program.”
To be eligible, the businesses must be for-profit, have 20 or fewer employees and prove sales dropped by more than 20% during any month from March to July, compared to February. If the business received federal funding in the past, the applicant must demonstrate they will use this grant for different expenses. Finally, the business cannot have an IRS tax lien or other judgment, and the owners and partners cannot be in the process of bankruptcy.
Read more here. —Alice Yin
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2:17 p.m.: University of Wisconsin reopens campus but asks students who can to move out of dorms
With new COVID-19 cases falling, the University of Wisconsin at Madison has tentative plans to resume in-person classes this week.
But the school continues to crack down on students who don’t follow the restrictions on socializing and is asking those who can’t to consider ending their housing contracts and moving out of residence halls.
That’s part of an effort to reduce the density on campus of students, some of whom have only online classes.
While noting that most students have followed the rules, officials said the university is investigating 550 students and 11 student organizations, such as fraternities or sororities, for public health violations. About 20 students are under review for emergency suspension, a vice chancellor said Wednesday.
Read more here. —Elyssa Cherney
2:05 p.m.: Though high schools across the region are closed, many of them reopened Wednesday — for the SAT test
Thousands of high school seniors across the Chicago area, sidelined from in-person learning this fall by COVID-19, were back in their schools Wednesday for the first time in six months – not for classes, but to take the SAT exam.
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The free in-school college entrance exam, typically taken by every high school junior in Illinois, was scuttled last spring by the pandemic. Wednesday’s test was one of a series of makeup dates the state’s education agency, using $6.5 million left over from last year, has set for those students, who are now seniors.
The state isn’t waiving the test as a graduation requirement, even though many colleges are not requiring it for 2021 admissions, and some critics say it’s too risky to open schools and puts undue stress on students.
Read more here. —Karen Ann Cullotta, Kimberly Fornek and Hannah Leone
12:10 p.m.: 1,848 new known COVID-19 cases and 22 additional deaths reported
Illinois public health officials on Wednesday reported 1,848 newly diagnosed cases and 22 additional deaths of people with COVID-19, raising the statewide tally to 279,114 known cases and 279,114 deaths.
—Chicago Tribune staff
11:23 a.m.: Employers could require workers to get a COVID-19 vaccine. Will it come to that?
Here’s one way to get a lot more people to take a vaccine: require it as a condition of employment.
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Private companies can adopt that policy, which could have a big impact on the uptake of the new COVID-19 vaccines now under rapid development. But such a move would be controversial.
The risk of a potential backlash can be seen in the vocal reaction against mask mandates coming from some corners. Given the current politics, imagine the potential opposition to requiring a coronavirus vaccine in order to come to the workplace.
Read more here. —The Dallas Morning News
10:53 a.m.: Illinois extends renewal deadline for motorists with expiring driver’s licenses
Illinois motorists with expired or expiring driver’s licenses are getting a further reprieve as Secretary of State Jesse White announced on Wednesday that his office is extending the renewal deadline until Feb. 1.
The latest extension, a response to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, includes those whose driver’s licenses and state ID cards with expiration dates in October, November, December and January. White’s office had previously extended the expiration date until Nov. 1.
The extended expiration date for license plate stickers remains Nov. 1. Vehicle registrations can be renewed online.
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The secretary of state’s office has extended the expiration date by one year for qualified drivers 75 and older. Those drivers have until their birthday in 2021 to renew their licenses.
—Dan Petrella
10:20 a.m.: Red Cross: COVID-19 antibody testing now done through standard blood donation, recovered patients can donate at any site
Those who have recovered from coronavirus can now give blood or platelets at any American Red Cross donation site to help save the lives of struggling COVID-19 patients, the Red Cross announced Wednesday.
Previously, only 170 Red Cross donation centers nationwide could accept donations of convalescent plasma, containing COVID-19 antibodies that “may help the most critical patients actively fighting this virus,” people who’ve already been diagnosed and recovered, the agency said in a news release.
Now, whole blood and platelet donations can be made at any Red Cross blood drive or donation center, including those in the Chicago area. Donors are encouraged to make an appointment soon to help coronavirus patients and others who depend on transfusions.
For those who may have been asymptomatic or don’t know if they have had COVID-19, the Red Cross now is testing blood donations for antibodies. Results typically are available in one to two weeks. Although the test is not a diagnostic one that would confirm infection or immunity, the presence of antibodies means that a person’s blood donation could be used to help COVID-19 patients.
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Read more here. —Katherine Rosenberg-Douglas
6:50 a.m. Utilities agree to extend moratorium on disconnections to spring 2021
Peoples Gas, Commonwealth Edison, Ameren and other state utilities have agreed to extend a moratorium on residential disconnections until March 31 for low income customers and those affected by the coronavirus pandemic, according to the Illinois Commerce Commission.
The voluntary agreement by the utilities is for a much longer time than a moratorium extension announced earlier this month. At that time, most of the state’s utilities agreed to extend the disconnect moratorium only until the end of September. Ameren and ComEd only agreed to extend it until September 10.
The latest agreement comes only days after the Illinois Commerce Commission sent a letter to the utilities asking them to extend the moratorium until the end of March.
Read more here. —Doug Finke. The State Journal-Register
6:18 a.m.: Johnson & Johnson begins late-stage study of first single-shot COVID-19 vaccine
Johnson & Johnson is beginning a huge final study to try to prove if a single-dose COVID-19 vaccine can protect against the virus.
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The study starting Wednesday will be one of the world’s largest coronavirus vaccine studies so far, testing the shot in 60,000 volunteers in the U.S., South Africa, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru.
A handful of other vaccines in the U.S. — including shots made by Moderna Inc. and Pfizer Inc. — and others in other countries are already in final-stage testing. Hopes are high that answers about at least one candidate being tested in the U.S. could come by year’s end, maybe sooner.
U.S. health officials insist the race for a vaccine isn’t cutting corners.
Read more here. —Associated Press
Breaking coronavirus news Stay up to date with the latest information on coronavirus with our breaking news alerts.
In case you missed it
Here are five stories related to COVID-19 from Tuesday:


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· On the front page of Saturday’s Sports section, a photo of pro golfer Bryson DeChambeau was incorrectly used instead of a photo of Patrick Reed, who was featured in the article.
The Tribune regrets the error.
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chicagotribune--2020-09-23--1 dead, 4 wounded in Chicago shootings Wednesday

Police said a 30-year-old man was seated in the passenger seat of a stolen red Jeep in the 800 block @ @ @ @ @ a dark-colored sedan pulled up and an argument ensued between the occupants and the victim @ @ @ @ @ pulled out a weapon and shot the victim in the shoulder , police said .

A 22-year-old man was fatally wounded and at least four others were injured in shootings Wednesday in Chicago, police said.
In the fatal attack, shortly after 10:30 a.m., a man and a woman were walking in the 2500 block of North Maplewood Avenue when someone walked up to them and spoke briefly before opening fire. The gunman then got into a nearby vehicle and fled the scene, police said.
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The woman, 39, suffered wounds to the ankle and was taken in good condition to Amita Health Sts. Mary and Elizabeth Medical Center. The man, 22, was shot three times in the upper chest, and was taken to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
The latest shooting happened about 3:50 p.m. in the South Loop neighborhood, police said.
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Police said a 30-year-old man was seated in the passenger seat of a stolen red Jeep in the 800 block of South Wabash Avenue when a dark-colored sedan pulled up and an argument ensued between the occupants and the victim. One of the occupants pulled out a weapon and shot the victim in the shoulder, police said.
The occupants of the Jeep then fled toward Roosevelt Road. Police located them and called an ambulance for the victim, who was taken in good condition to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, police said.
Someone was being detained by police for questioning.
Shortly after 3 p.m., a 28-year-old man was shot in the West Garfield Park neighborhood in the 4200 block of West Van Buren Street. Police later said the shooting took place in the 400 block of South Keeler Avenue.
Police said the man was traveling in a vehicle when he suffered a wound to the face, and collided with a fence. He was taken in critical condition to Stroger Hospital, police said.
About the same time as the West Garfield Park shooting, a male was shot in the head in the Lawndale neighborhood in the 1200 block of South Kolin Avenue, police said.
The victim was approached by several people who pulled out weapons and opened fire, police said. He was struck in the head and taken in critical condition to Mount Sinai Hospital.
No one was in custody.
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dawilliams@chicagotribune.com


chicagotribune--2020-09-23--University of Wisconsin at Madison will restart in-person classes but asks students to move out of d

University of Wisconsin at Madison will restart in-person classes but asks students to move out of dorms if they can

“ It really has proven we can bring the numbers down , and it is up to us in the @ @ @ @ @ we are doing things in a different enough way that we keep those numbers down @ @ @ @ @ a videoconference with reporters .
“ I would ask that all members of the campus @ @ @ @ @ and adhere to them .
”

The University of Wisconsin at Madison will tentatively resume in-person classes starting Saturday after a two-week pause in campus activity helped drive down the number of new COVID-19 infections among students, school officials have announced.
Chancellor Rebecca Blank said Wednesday that increased testing of students, limits on social activity and the quarantining of two predominantly freshman dorms helped improve conditions to restart some in-person classes. No infections have been linked to students or faculty attending classes, she added.
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“It really has proven we can bring the numbers down, and it is up to us in the next several weeks to show we are doing things in a different enough way that we keep those numbers down,” Blank said on a videoconference with reporters. “I would ask that all members of the campus community understand these health protocols and adhere to them.”
As of Wednesday, UW at Madison recorded 2,726 positive tests among students and 49 among employees since late July, according to its dashboard. After the suspension of in-person instruction, the daily number of new confirmed case dropped from the peak of 385 on Sept. 9 to 23 on Tuesday. Officials know of at least one student who was hospitalized with COVID-19 complications, but students are not required to share that information with the school.
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An isolation area is set up between residence halls at University of Wisconsin at Madison. (Mark Hoffman / AP)
According to its dashboard, the university’s seven-day positivity rate for students tested on campus is 5.5%.
UW at Madison’s turnaround makes it the latest school to reinstate some degree of face-to-face instruction after a spike in cases, joining the University of Notre Dame and Bradley University, which also reverted to remote classes for two weeks. But Blank said not all classes will continue in-person if instructors and departments decide that virtual interaction is the best way to proceed.
To reduce density on campus, Wisconsin’s flagship campus is also encouraging students who do not need to live in dorms to consider returning home and receiving prorated room and board refunds.
Since Sept. 1, the university has received about 550 requests to cancel housing contracts, according to Laurent Heller, vice chancellor for finance and administration. The school is offering to move students into single rooms if desired and asks that anyone who cannot follow restrictions on social gatherings consider canceling their housing contract.
“Students and their families — particularly students with all online courses — should assess whether remaining in the residence hall is the right choice for them and request a contract cancellation if they wish to depart,” Blank said in a written message to students and employees Wednesday morning.
While noting that most students have followed the rules, officials said the university is investigating 550 students and 11 student organizations, such as fraternities or sororities, for public health violations. About 20 students are under review for emergency suspension, said Lori Reesor, vice chancellor for student affairs.
Reesor said she could not share many details about the student who was hospitalized because of privacy reasons but explained that “the actual time in the hospital was very limited" and the student has returned home to recover. The hospitalization was reported on Sept. 16, and the school has not learned of any additional hospitalizations.
Moving forward, Blank said the university will seek to reduce the density on campus, pursue disciplinary action against students who don’t follow health guidelines and mandate students in residence halls to be tested once a week, an increase from previous requirements of doing so every two weeks.
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Blank also addressed the mounting tension with Dane County, where the university is located. She said there’s a value to in-person classes if the school can offer it safely — particularly for clinical courses or ones that required technical equipment that can’t be replicated online.
Over the weekend, Dane County Executive Joe Parisi called on the school to go fully virtual, saying cases on campus have led to a threefold increase in the local infection rate in recent weeks. A majority of students infected, about 88%, have experienced symptoms of COVID-19, county officials said last week.
“It’s not helpful to be in opposition and in tension with county officials,” Blank said Wednesday. “We need to be working in partnership together. They need to be helping us with the off-campus spaces. We need to be working hard with the on-campus spaces.”
John Karl Scholz, the university’s provost, said going fully remote also creates challenges for students who don’t have access to technology or would be trying to study in crowded households.
“Not only do we not have any evidence of transmission within the classroom, and we aren’t aware of any at our other peer universities, we also aren’t seeing that type of transmission between, say, our custodial staff or our food service staff or other groups on campus who are interacting with students,” he said.
Due to surging cases across Wisconsin, driven in part by infections among 18-24 year-olds, the city of Chicago on Tuesday placed the state on its travel quarantine list for the second time. That means travelers arriving in the city after staying in Wisconsin will need to stay inside their homes and away from others for two weeks.
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echerney@chicagotribune.com


chicagotribune--2020-09-23--Party City opening just 25 Halloween pop-up stores nationwide as CDC warns against traditional trick

Party City opening just 25 Halloween pop-up stores nationwide as CDC warns against traditional trick-or-treating

More than half of U.S. adults plan to celebrate Halloween , though most said the pandemic is affecting how they @ @ @ @ @ a survey by the National Retail Federation .
Only 22 % of people said they @ @ @ @ @ a party and 23 % planned to trick-or-treat , down from 32 % and 29 @ @ @ @ @ .

Party City will open about 90% fewer Halloween pop-up stores than last year as the coronavirus pandemic makes many traditional Halloween celebrations scarier than usual.
Earlier this week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended avoiding door-to-door trick-or-treating and crowded indoor parties or haunted houses to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19.
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The 25 Halloween City pop-up stores the retailer is opening nationwide this fall include locations in Chicago Ridge and Elmhurst. Party City also has 25 year-round stores in the Chicago area, according to the retailer’s website.
Party City still plans to hire about 80% of seasonal employees hired last season, or 20,000 people. Each store will have more seasonal workers to help handle curbside and in-store pickup orders, including an extra four or five workers at the pop-up Halloween City stores, the company said in an email.
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“Despite the pandemic, we know that consumers are looking to celebrate and capture the special holiday spirit, even if it looks a little different this year,” Party City Holdco CEO Brad Weston said in a news release Tuesday.
Pop-up chain Spirit Halloween said last month it will open 3% more Halloween stores this year than last year, with about 1,400 locations and more than 30 in the Chicago area.
More than half of U.S. adults plan to celebrate Halloween, though most said the pandemic is affecting how they will celebrate, according to a survey by the National Retail Federation. Only 22% of people said they plan to host or attend a party and 23% planned to trick-or-treat, down from 32% and 29% last year, respectively.
[ We’re loading up on Halloween candy, with or without trick-or-treating ]
Spending on the holiday, mostly driven by decorations, costumes and candy, is expected to hit $8.05 billion, down from about $8.8 billion last year, according to the trade group.
While the CDC cautioned against higher-risk activities involving close contact with people outside one’s home, the guidelines outlined lower-risk alternatives.
Outdoor costume parties and parades where people can stay at least 6 feet apart, or a version of trick-or-treating where kids can pick up grab-and-go treat bags while practicing social distancing, were deemed moderately risky. The safest activities included virtual activities or those done with members of the same household.
lzumbach@chicagotribune.com


chicagotribune--2020-09-23--Empty roads, trains, buses and airports: How COVID-19 and staying at home changed how Chicago gets a

Empty roads, trains, buses and airports: How COVID-19 and staying at home changed how Chicago gets around

A Chicago woman in her 60s became the second confirmed coronavirus case in the U.S. after flying home in mid-January @ @ @ @ @ father in Wuhan , China .
Her husband became the sixth case in the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ transmission reported in the U.S .
Both were hospitalized but later recovered .
Their illnesses @ @ @ @ @ major shift in the number of flights and passengers departing Chicago ’ s two major @ @ @ @ @ International Airport and Midway International Airport , due to COVID-19 .

Chicago’s roads and airports were among some of the busiest in the United States before COVID-19 entered our lexicon. Public transportation by bus and rail, too, carried thousands of people between the city and suburbs each weekday.
Yet, after Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker issued a stay-at-home order for the entire state effective at 5 p.m. March 21 — six months ago — movement around the Chicago metro area halted. People stayed home in an effort to socially distance themselves from others and, as work and school have become largely home-based, continued to adjust their travel habits accordingly.
Speeds on local interstates have decreased in recent months, indicating more vehicles are now on the roads. Yet, it could take longer for airlines and public transportation to experience the same demand they experienced pre-pandemic.
Below is the latest available data by type of transportation:
Local interstates
Chicago was named the second most congested city in the country — after Boston — in 2019. INRIX, a global transportation analytics firm, estimated drivers here spent an average of more than six days sitting in traffic over the course of the year. After the stay-at-home order took effect in mid-March, however, weekly traffic volume in Chicago fell to half its normal level.
“With (far) fewer vehicles on the roads, speeds on major interstates and freeways hit ‘free flow speeds’ in the morning and afternoon commute periods.” — Mark Burfeind, INRIX director of global communications
Unusually light and fast moving early morning rush hour traffic continues on area expressways including the Eisenhower, I-290 at Austin, partially due to the coronavirus and stay at home orders in Chicago, on April 9, 2020. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune)
I-290, the Eisenhower Expressway, from I-294 to I-90, was named the eighth most congested U.S. road in the INRIX report. In March, however, the average speed at 7 a.m. on the inbound Eisenhower between Wolf Road and the Jane Byrne Interchange was more than double last year’s average of 25 mph.
Travel times on I-90, the Kennedy Expressway, heading into the city between the O’Hare airport exit and the Jane Byrne Interchange, also were much faster in March 2020 compared with last year’s average.
Northbound travelers on I-55, the Stevenson Expressway, also experienced much faster speeds in March.
Nonessential businesses outside Chicago opened May 29 — with the city following on June 3 — as Illinois moved into phase three of Gov. Pritzker’s reopening plan. Travel times on these interstates, in response, have begun to slow and the “dips” in speed associated with congestion are beginning to return. Still, delays have not yet reached levels as employees continue to work from home instead of traveling to their workplaces.
“The Chicago metro (area) is still seeing roughly 20% faster speeds than normal.” — Mark Burfeind, INRIX director of global communications
More on the roads:
Public transportation
What happens when workers stop commuting to and from “The City that Works?" The trains and buses keep running — at a cost. CTA, Metra and Pace could see almost $1 billion in revenue losses this year.
David Cedras, 25, rides a Brown Line train in the Loop on June 9, 2020. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Transit Authority
CTA — the second largest public transportation system in the U.S. in ridership — has maintained full service on its eight rapid transit routes and bus system of 140 routes during the pandemic, but overall ridership has been down as much as 80-85% per day. In an effort to provide passengers with social distancing space during the stay-at-home order, CTA ran longer trains and buses on some routes.
On CTA buses, where standing or sitting 6 feet apart from other passengers is difficult, riders were allowed to board buses through their rear entrances and, as a result, avoid paying for their rides. In June, CTA and Pace began to collect bus fares again.
Ridership patterns differ, reflecting demographic differences within Chicago, with many Loop-bound “L” commuters staying home while many essential and lower-income workers still riding transit to work. Some riders simply don’t have the option of staying home, or driving.
With the loosening of some restrictions on businesses, the number of commuters taking the CTA is expected to slowly increase. The transit agency introduced a color-coded ridership tool — green for low ridership, yellow for some seats available and orange for cramped conditions — this summer to help passengers avoid crowded buses and trains.
Some commuters, however, have decided to drive or bike their way to work instead, with Divvy experiencing its largest number of rides ever in August.
Chicago sure loved @DivvyBikes in August - 612,928 Divvy rides in the month: up 3.9% year-over-year, the system’s largest ridership month EVER!! 👍😁🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲 pic.twitter.com/K2BKCTVIZA — CDOT (@ChicagoDOT) September 19, 2020
Metra
Daily ridership on Metra tumbled about 97% at the start of the pandemic, but it’s starting to slowly come back. Metra was hit worse than CTA or Pace because it is so dependent on commuters going to and from downtown, whereas people are more likely to use CTA and Pace for nonwork travel.
The transit agency, which operates 11 rail lines across six counties, projects more than $682 million in lost revenue through the end of 2021. Though service has experienced reductions, Metra has yet to lay off or furlough any of its 2,300 employees. The rail system is looking to reach 30% of normal ridership levels by the end of the year, but that recovery schedule is in doubt.
“Ridership may never recover to 2019 levels, certainly not soon. We had big hopes that after Labor Day we were going to see kids back in school and we were going to see unemployment down and the workplaces opening up. All three of those are progressing much more slowly than we had hoped for.” — Thomas Farmer, Metra’s chief financial officer
Commuters exit the 5:36 train at the Des Plaines Metra station on Aug. 19, 2020. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune)
Efforts to attract more riders include extending Metra’s $10 All-Day Pass offer through the end of October and launching a nearly $1 million ad campaign to show the commuter rail system’s daily cleaning regimen.
More on public transit
Six months after the COVID-19 pandemic first shook Chicago, the city’s once-mighty downtown — with its towering skyscrapers, glamorous shops and glittering public spaces — is a humbled giant, taking only tentative steps toward recovery.
Air travel
A Chicago woman in her 60s became the second confirmed coronavirus case in the U.S. after flying home in mid-January from caring for her sick father in Wuhan, China. Her husband became the sixth case in the U.S., marking the first person-to-person transmission reported in the U.S. Both were hospitalized but later recovered. Their illnesses signaled the beginning of a major shift in the number of flights and passengers departing Chicago’s two major airports, O’Hare International Airport and Midway International Airport, due to COVID-19.
United Airlines gate agent Emma Watt helps passengers scan their boarding passes for a flight to San Francisco at O'Hare International Airport on June 18, 2020. (Brian Cassella / TNS)
O’Hare International Airport
In 2019, Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport was named the nation’s busiest in terms of total flights — more than 903,000 — surpassing Atlanta for the first time since 2014. The airport was also ranked third busiest in the U.S. in total passengers with more than 83 million travelers passing through its four terminals. June and July were singled out as the busiest months of last year.
In June 2020, however, seat capacity — the number of seats available — for flights departing O’Hare was near 1 million, about a 78% decline from June 2019, according to global travel data provider OAG. And July, traditionally a popular month for family travel due to the Fourth of July holiday, had a seat capacity of 1.9 million, down 59% from July 2019.
American Airlines and Chicago-based United Airlines — already forced to cancel flights on troubled Boeing 737 Max aircraft in 2019 — began pulling flights to China from schedules as demand declined swiftly and significantly due to COVID-19. O’Hare is a hub for both carriers, which, together, lease the majority of the airport’s 191 gates.
United continued to cut domestic and international flights as demand plummeted, waived change fees, closed airport lounges and instituted other cost-saving measures. Federal aid requests resulted in billions received, but it might not be enough to keep United’s employees paid through the fall.
Recovery could be slow — especially for business travel. The impact of COVID-19 on O’Hare could delay the completion of its massive terminal modernization project. The European Union continues to ban travelers from the U.S.
For now, United plans to resume service on more than 25 international routes this month, including beach destinations in the Caribbean and Hawaii.
A passenger flying Southwest Airlines wheels his bags to a drop-off kiosk at Midway International Airport on March 30, 2020. (Charles Rex Arbogast/AP)
Midway International Airport
Like United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, the major carrier based at Midway, has also been forced to cancel flights scheduled on Boeing 737 Max aircraft and deal with flights canceled due to the coronavirus.
Yet, Southwest entered the pandemic with a stronger foothold than its bigger competitors. In June, Forbes noted the “no frills” airline had a record 47-straight profitable years — which is sure to end in 2020 — and is also the largest U.S. airline in terms of domestic passenger miles flown for almost 20 years. Southwest also has the lowest debt load of any of the major airlines and is burning through less cash than competitors.
Incentives for travelers to board Southwest planes during the pandemic have included promotions blocking middle seats through November and free companion passes for travel early next year for tickets purchased this month. Capacity systemwide has been reduced through October.
“It’s interesting that Midway has been pretty resilient to COVID-19, scheduled capacity is very, very close to January levels which is all about the dominance of Southwest at the airport and the fact that overall throughout the U.S. they have remained the strongest operator.” — John Grant, OAG chief analyst
Though slower to cut flights than other airlines in response to COVID-19, Southwest is still operating at a fraction of its regular size — and could stay that way, according to CEO Gary Kelly. Furloughs and layoffs are a possibility, if passengers don’t return to the skies.
More on air travel
The millions of travelers in Chicago’s airports are more than tourism dollars and business for airlines. They support an entire network of businesses around Chicago’s airports, from catering companies that prepare in-flight meals to airport shops and restaurants where passengers kill time before boarding to airport hotels and car rental agencies.
Travel during the pandemic is complicated. The Tribune asked medical experts about what precautions and items to take on every step of a journey by airplane, car or train. The Tribune compiled their answers, along with guidance from the CDC, Transportation Security Administration, and other state and federal agencies.
Sources: INRIX; Chicago Transit Authority; Metra; OAG; Chicago Department of Aviation; Flightradar24; Forbes; Chicago Tribune reporting and archives


chicagotribune--2020-09-23--Chicago fall bridge lifts

Chicago fall bridge lifts

A fully furnished , 3,600-square-foot condominium on the 51st floor of One Bennett Park in Streeterville has been listed for @ @ @ @ @ the building 's developer asked interior designer Bruce Fox to decorate the three-bedroom home .

Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 5
People along the Riverwalk watch as the Tall Ship Windy navigates through the first bridge lift of the fall season on the Chicago River as the summer sailing season on Lake Michigan winds down Sept. 23, 2020. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)


chicagotribune--2020-09-23--Watch live: Pritzker, Lightfoot and Preckwinkle discuss Breonna Taylor decision

Illinois Gov .
J.B. Pritzker , Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Cook County Board President Preckwinkle join community leaders to @ @ @ @ @ at 2:30 p.m. CDT .
Get the latest updates here .

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chicagotribune--2020-09-23--Kiki’s and Unicorn Cafe among latest Chicago restaurants closing due to the COVID-19 pandemic’s econ

Kiki’s and Unicorn Cafe among latest Chicago restaurants closing due to the COVID-19 pandemic’s economic toll. Here’s our running list.

Earlier this summer , changes to the OpenTable website for Kiki ’ s Bistro caused some confusion over whether or not the beloved River North spot had closed for good .
The restaurant shared a clarification that , for now , it would be open for business .
Sadly , however , Kiki ’ s website changed late last week , indicating that the restaurant will close permanently after the final day of service Sept. 30 .
“ We appreciate the birthdays , anniversaries , special occasions and everyday meals that you spent dining and laughing with us .
Those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ few months , as your visits did for those many years , ” read the post .
It wasn ’ t all bad news , though , mentioning that a small-time operation remains on the radar for Kiki ’ s founder Georges “ Kiki ” Cuisance : “ Kiki , 87 , is attempting retirement with an open eye for a potential petite Kiki ’ s — a tiny , cozy reboot with the potential to offer authentic French fare you love on a very intimate scale.
” See the full story here @ @ @ @

The statewide shutdown of restaurants and bars for on-premise service took effect March 16. Since then, several restaurants and bars have reopened for dining and drinking, as Chicago and the state have rolled out gradual reopening plans. But not all of them have made it.
This article lists bars and restaurants that have been forced to close due to the financial strain of COVID-19 regulations. Note that these closures are strictly finance-related and are not due to illness among any of the business’ staff.
We will update the list, sorted alphabetically, as needed.
NEW CLOSINGS
Lagunitas taproom likely won’t reopen in 2021
Lagunitas Brewing likely won’t reopen its Chicago taproom until at least 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the brewery’s chief marketing officer said Thursday. The taproom, which opened in 2014, is situated directly above the brewery, in the center of Lagunitas’ South Side building. Lagunitas CMO Paige Guzman said she’d “be surprised” if it reopened this year due to concerns about virus spread. The taproom has been closed since the pandemic took root in the U.S. in March. Lagunitas is among the first Chicago bars or restaurants to acknowledge a 2021 reopening as unlikely. See the full story here.
— Josh Noel
FULL RESTAURANT CLOSINGS LIST
25 Degrees
The downtown restaurant and bar did not mention the pandemic shutdown specifically, but a Facebook post announcing its closure noted that it was “due to our current situation.”
Arlington Cake Box Bakery
Chicagoland residents have been celebrating special occasions with the baking of Arlington Cake Box Bakery for 71 years, but the bakery announced in a Facebook post last week that it closed Sept. 20. “We are so grateful for the level of support you have shown us, not only in these unprecedented last six months, but also in the past 71 years,” read the post. The bakery first opened in 1949 and had been on its third generation as a family business.
Bad Hunter
The dining room at Bad Hunter is reflected in a mirror on the back wall. (Anthony Souffle / Chicago Tribune)
Bad Hunter — known for its vegetable-and-grains-forward menu — and its second-floor event venue, The Herbarium, closed for good because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The West Loop restaurant, which survived a fire and re-opened in 2019, was voted the Chicago restaurant with the best plant-based menu in the Chicago Tribune Readers’ Choice Dining Awards earlier this year. — Grace Wong
Band of Bohemia
Band of Bohemia, which announced in July that it was closing temporarily, first earned a Michelin star in 2016 and had retained it every year since through 2019. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune)
Five-year-old Band of Bohemia, whose pioneering vision of brewing beer and serving creative, ambitious food was ultimately rewarded with a coveted Michelin star, is going out of business after filing for bankruptcy. The Ravenswood brewpub filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy liquidation Oct. 16 in the Northern District of Illinois. According to court records, Band of Bohemia is more than $1 million in debt. But in a statement Oct. 21, Band of Bohemia founders Michael Carroll and Craig Sindelar blamed the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic for the closure. The restaurant has been closed since July, when owners said it would be shuttering temporarily. See the full story here. — Josh Noel
Baobab BBQ
The barbecue spot, which used South African flavors to riff on traditional ‘cue, announced in May on its Facebook page that it would close permanently due to the effects of the shutdown, writing: “When a small business’s revenue is interrupted it is devastating; when it’s a restaurant, earth shattering best describes it.”
Bar Biscay
An array of "pintxos," popular small bites offered at Bar Biscay. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune)
Bar Biscay, the restaurant that lit up West Town with coastal-Spain sunshine, has closed, for keeps, after a 2½-year run. Partner Scott Worsham said in a posting on Facebook that, “The time has come to say goodbye to our groovy, Atlantic-coast inspired French-Spanish-Basque funhouse, our Oasis of Joy. He blamed COVID-19 and “factors beyond our control.” See the full story here. — Phil Vettel
Bite Cafe
Noah Sandoval (Oriole, Kumiko/Kikko) will join with friend Bruce Finkelman, managing partner of the 16″ On Center restaurant group (Longman & Eagle, Dusek’s Board & Beer, Revival Food Hall), to create Pizza Friendly Pizza, opening later this summer in the Bite Cafe space. Finkelman said, “Once the quarantine hit, I realized that that type of restaurant wouldn’t be able to exist in the post-COVID culinary scene.” — Phil Vettel
Blackbird
Blackbird restaurant in Chicago on Monday June 29, 2020. (Zbigniew Bzdak / Chicago Tribune)
The highest-profile Chicago restaurant victim of coronavirus to date has been Blackbird, closing for good after more than 22 years as one of the area’s finest restaurants. “We’ve labored long and hard over this decision,” said partner Paul Kahan. “But in an incredibly small, tight dining room — operating at only 25% capacity for who knows how long — and removing the opportunity to do private dining, it becomes incredibly difficult to manage.” — Phil Vettel
Blue Nose Brewery
Small southwest suburban Blue Nose Brewery has closed due to the economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic. Blue Nose co-founder Jordan Isenberg said he made the decision in late October 2020, after the state ordered suburban Cook County bars and restaurants to close for indoor business for a second time to stem the spread of COVID-19. He kept the decision largely to himself while winding down the business, he said. See the rest of the story here. — Josh Noel
Bonci (Wicker Park)
Three different options at Bonci (Arugula, dried tomatoes and bufala mozzarella) (zucchini, ricotta, lemon zest and black pepper) and (prosciutto and fior di latte mozzarella). (Nick Kindelsperger / Chicago Tribune)
The second Chicago location of the world famous pizzeria was located in Wicker Park, but Eater Chicago reported that Bonci’s director of U.S. operations said consolidating to one location (West Loop) was necessary in light of the pandemic.
Bonfire
The no-frills steakhouse in Homer Glen confirmed via Facebook message that it has closed for good due to the effects of the pandemic shutdown.
Bottled Blonde
Bottled Blonde has closed after years of legal drama. (Phil Velasquez / Chicago Tribune)
Bottled Blonde, the River North bar better known for its legal drama than pizza, closed permanently July 27, due to the coronavirus — but COVID-19 violations are not among the complaints against it. The business “surrendered their business licenses, permanently closing the River North bar after a series of serious nuisance conditions dating back to 2017,” according to a statement from the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection. The bar had not received any citations related to COVID-19, wrote the department spokesperson.
The district manager of Bottled Blonde said, “It’s been an uphill battle since we came into this neighborhood. We had fights with the city, fights with the neighborhood. With the COVID thing, you need revenue to keep up those fights. We can’t stay open and operate at limited capacities.” See the full story here. — Louisa Chu
Boulangerie (Belmont Avenue)
La Boulangerie closed its location at 915 W. Belmont Ave. (Nick Kindelsperger / Chicago Tribune)
The French bakery chain La Boulangerie has closed the Lakeview location on Belmont Avenue. The Logan Square and Ravenswood bakeries remain open, but for pickup and delivery only.
Bridgeport Coffee Co. (Loop)
The Chicago coffee roaster closed its Loop location in June, confirming the shuttering as a result of COVID in a blog post. Its other three in Bridgeport, Hyde Park and the South Loop remain open.
Cactus Bar & Grill
The Cactus Bar at 404 S. Wells St. in Chicago. (Phil Velasquez / Chicago Tribune)
The recent closure of Cactus Bar & Grill leaves the South Loop financial district without a 31-year-old standby. Cactus confirmed the closure with a note on its website, writing that they knew in the middle of August that the bar wouldn’t make it: “With few offices in the Loop occupied, and a challenging situation with our land lord, the crisis’s financial devastation became insurmountable.” The bar was a staple for lunches and drinks in the Loop.
Cafe Marie-Jeanne
The announcement that Cafe Marie-Jeanne will close drew lines outside the Humboldt Park restaurant Friday, Nov. 20, 2020. By Saturday, owners had to close early after running out of food. The wait Sunday was four hours. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune)
Cafe Marie-Jeanne (1001 N. California Ave.), co-owned by the husband and wife team of Michael Simmons and Val Szafranski, announced Nov. 19 on Instagram that they would close permanently: “The string has run out for CMJ. We hung in as long as we could and it’s time to let go. Everything must end. WE WILL MISS YOU ALL!” Over the following weekend, fans flocked to the Humboldt Park restaurant known for its French-influenced dishes for one last taste. Lines stretched down the block, and Simmons had to shut down early Nov. 20 because he ran out of food. On that Saturday, the wait in line took four hours. The restaurant closed Nov. 23. See the full story here. — Nick Kindelsperger
Candyality
Candyality is known for its collection of retro candies, among hundreds of other confections.
Andersonville has one less spot to sate your sweet tooth, as Candyality has announced in a Facebook post that it will be closing its location in the neighborhood at the end of September. The closing comes “with great sadness” after spending more than 5 years in that space, the post reads. The Chicago-based candy store — which has also had locations in Wicker Park and Water Tower Place during the past several years — is still open at its Lakeview location, 3737 N. Southport Ave., and offers local delivery.
Cafe Cancale
The strawberry sundae with sea salt ice cream at Cafe Cancale. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)
The One Off Hospitality property in Wicker Park was another casualty of the pandemic, closing at the same time as Blackbird.
California Clipper and coffee shop C.C. Ferns
Detail of the Vesper at California Clipper in 2017. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Both the Clipper and attached cafe C.C. Ferns shuttered permanently due to the COVID shutdown. However, there have been conflicting accounts between Hogsalt Hospitality owner Brendan Sodikoff and landlord Gino Battaglia as to how the fallout was navigated, according to reports from Eater Chicago and Block Club Chicago, respectively.
Chicago House Of ‘Za
The North Center spot for all-vegan pizza shared an Instagram post announcing its permanent closure, citing the financial effects of the pandemic shutdown as part of the reason: “With the current pandemic, as well as the enormous cost of operating a business in Chicago, we are unable to stay open for business any longer.”
City Mouse
City Mouse restaurant in the Ace Hotel opened in 2017. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)
City Mouse, the Ace Hotel restaurant operated by the team behind Giant and Chef’s Special, is closing after three years. Sunday, Oct. 18, will be the last day, the restaurant announced Wednesday in a statement. Jason Vincent, one of the partners at Giant and Chef’s Special, declined further comment. Giant and Chef’s Special bar announced just Tuesday it was launching a food truck to get their creative cooking to a larger audience. The space is going to be occupied by the Alinea Group, starting in November; owner Nick Kokonas confirmed that Alinea has leased the space for a three-month residency, but offered no additional details. For more details, see the story here. — Phil Vettel
Conga’s
The Norwood Park restaurant, which also featured music and dancing, announced it would be closing on Facebook. The post read, “I’m deeply saddened to announce Congas Restaurant will not be opening again. Covid-19 made me realize the most important things in life.” Another post teased a return for the Congas name, but as more of a venue-esque space.
Danny’s Tavern
After rumors of a closure had persisted on social media for weeks, Danny’s Tavern has confirmed it closed permanently. The Bucktown dive was well-known for its dance floor and its popular party celebrating The Smiths. The closure comes five years after the bar nearly shuttered once before and ends the bar’s 34-year stay on Dickens Avenue.
Davanti Enoteca
Davanti Enoteca in Little Italy.
The Little Italy location of Davanti Enoteca has closed for good, and, according to a report from the Sun-Times, it appears finances were a factor: “A demand letter dated June 12 from the landlord ... said the establishment was nearly $60,000 behind on rent.” The letter was posted on the window of Francesca’s, a sister restaurant also owned by chef David Harris.
Ditka’s in Chicago
Mike Ditka lookalike Don, center, and his wife Marian Feuling eat during a birthday party dinner at Ditka's restaurant in 2019. (Camille Fine / Chicago Tribune)
The economic effects of the mandated shutdown were a contributing factor in the closure of Mike Ditka’s Chicago restaurant in May. Other locations remain open, including Ditka’s in suburban Oakbrook Terrace and Grill 89 in suburban Westmont.
Eden
People settle in for dinner at the restaurant called Eden, 1748 W. Lake St. in Chicago, on Wednesday, March 15, 2017. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune)
Eden, a Cal-Mediterranean restaurant popular with pre- and post-event United Center crowd (among others), closed in mid-July after a run of just over 3½ years. Eden opened on west Lake Street in December 2016 and made friends quickly, both for its pretty, bright-white interiors and Devon Quinn’s skillful cooking. The owners said in a release that “While we recently reopened our doors to an immensely positive response, the larger economic impact resulting from the coronavirus pandemic has made it impossible for us to sustain operations.” Read the full story here. — Phil Vettel
Emerald City Coffee Shop (Sheridan)
The Emerald City Coffee Shop location on Sheridan Road closed permanently Oct. 31, according to a post on the cafe’s Instagram page: “The uncertainty of the pandemic and other financial stressors were too much to bear and we’re so, so bummed to see ECC Sheridan go, but it’s the tough choice we had to make.” Emerald City, which was also known for its breakfast burritos, occupied a noticeable space below the Sheridan Red Line stop for years and was a neighborhood favorite. The Emerald City Coffee in Uptown, at 1224 W. Wilson Ave., remains open.
A Go Fund Me campaign launched earlier to save the Sheridan location has been taken down. But a new Go Fund Me has been launched, this one to help laid-off baristas. “The purpose of this fundraiser is to help cushion the blow that our ECC Sheridan staff will experience in the coming days,” the campaign reads. It seeks $5,000 and by the afternoon of Nov. 4 had raised $2,100. — Adam Lukach
Fahlstrom’s Fresh Fish Market
Owner Glenn Fahlstrom confirmed that he would be closing the Lakeview seafood spot in an online post shared on the restaurant’s website and social media pages. The post, in part, read: “The new restaurant model is asking owners to put employees in harm’s way so that their business can possibly survive. That is an ‘acceptable risk’ I cannot take. The restaurant business as I know it is gone and will not return for years. It was hard enough when the playing field was supposedly level, now it is tilted beyond recognition. So, I am closing Fahlstrom’s Fresh Fish Market.”
Fat Rice / Super Fat Rice Mart
At the beginning of the pandemic shutdown, Fat Rice pivoted to become Super Fat Rice Mart, a market for meal kits and various grocery goods. Later, current and former Fat Rice employees went public with allegations of harassment and mistreatment by owner Abe Conlon, and the location has been closed ever since, with no public mention of a reopening date.
Fat Willy’s Rib Shack
Rib tips at Fat Willy's Rib Shack, 2416 W. Schubert Ave. (Michael Tercha / Chicago Tribune)
The North Side is losing another barbecue spot after Fat Willy’s Rib Shack announced Thursday evening that it will close Sept. 27. The Logan Square restaurant has been in the neighborhood for more than 19 years and has a loyal following of diners who go there for baby back ribs, pulled pork, brisket and mac and cheese. See the full story here. — Grace Wong
Finom Coffee
Cream and sugar station at Finom Coffee in the Old Irving Park neighborhood of Chicago. (Louisa Chu / Chicago Tribune)
Finom Coffee — the popular two-year-old cafe in Old Irving Park known for serving Hungarian small plates, along with coffee, tea and baked goods, out of a snazzy art-deco storefront, has closed. Chef Rafa Esparza posted an upbeat message on Instagram: “It was a beautiful moment in time and the whole crew slayed from day one!” See the full story here. — Adam Lukach
Foodlife
The multi-station food concept located in Water Tower Place confirmed its closing in early June, although owner Lettuce Entertain You declined to comment exactly why. — Nick Kindelsperger
Fountainhead
Guests sit on the popular rooftop patio at Fountainhead in Ravenswood in this 2015 photo. (Lenny Gilmore / RedEye)
For the past 10 years, Fountainhead bar and restaurant has occupied the northeast corner of Damen and Montrose, one of Ravenswood’s essential intersections, bringing an enviable selection of whiskey and barrel-aged spirits to the neighborhood. In late September, the restaurant announced in social media posts that its run will come to an end Nov 14. “The past year has been difficult for everyone but pressures facing our industry at this time make it financially impossible to operate past the roof deck season. We made every effort to make adjustments to operate in this ‘new normal’ but with limitations restricting revenue and without funding to offset this condition it is impossible to continue,” read the post. Fountainhead owners are working with building ownership to find the “right concept” for the prominently situated storefront. Rhe Fountainhead Market — located next door — will remain there. — Adam Lukach
Francesca’s On Taylor
As with Taylor Street’s Davanti Enoteca — the two restaurants share ownership — the Italian restaurant in Little Italy has closed permanently, with reports indicating that rent-payment issues were at least partly to blame.
Gino’s East
The Gino’s East restaurant at 500 N. LaSalle St. has closed, a victim of a decline in business downtown, according to Jordan Himmel, chief information officer for Chicago-based Bravo Restaurants (which owns Gino’s East, Ed Debevic’s, Edwardo’s Pizza and Eduardo’s Enoteca.) The location closed in March, but other Chicago locations remain open.
Guthrie’s Tavern
Ron DeNicolo and his wife, Cynthia, take a photograph outside Guthrie's Tavern, 1300 W. Addison St., on July 21 in Chicago. DeNicolo said he and Cynthia had their first date at the bar 10 years ago. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune)
Guthrie’s Tavern, one of Chicago’s oldest and most popular neighborhood bars, announced it would be closing permanently, citing the city’s rollback of phase four rules for bars as a primary cause. Guthrie’s has occupied the corner of Addison Street and Lakewood Avenue for 34 years. It closed July 23. See the complete story here. — Adam Lukach
Habana Libre
Per a post on its website, Habana Libre closed permanently “due to the impact of coronavirus.” The Cuban restaurant had been in West Town since 2007.
Hamburger Mary’s
Hamburger Mary's opened on a key corner in Andersonville in 2006. (Michael Tercha / Chicago Tribune)
Andersonville’s Hamburger Mary’s — the only remaining city location of the nationwide network of independent franchises — announced Sunday on Facebook that it would be closing Nov. 1. Ownership listed the building for sale last year, and the lease ends at the end of December, but the coronavirus pandemic expedited the closing process, according to the post. The burger-focused restaurant, an outlet of the San Francisco-based chain, opened on a high-profile in Andersonville in June 2006, featuring drag shows, karaoke and bingo, along with the burgers. The closing announcement also teased ownership interest in reopening at another location: “We feel it’s best to wait until spring before we look for a possible new space.” The restaurant will host regular business hours until its final day of service Nov. 1. — Adam Lukach
Hot “G” Dog
Duck sausage, topped with lobes of foie gras and sea salt flakes, from Hot "G" Dog (5009 N. Clark St.). (Kevin Pang / Chicago Tribune)
Andersonville lost a hot-dog joint — at least the rest of 2020 — from the former Hot Doug’s chef with the closure of Hot “G” Dog. A Facebook post from the restaurant said its owners hope to return eventually, but the COVID shutdown had made business unsustainable for now.
Imperial Lamian
After more than four and a half years of serving rainbow-colored soup dumplings, roast duck and vegan spring rolls, Imperial Lamian is closing its doors in River North. The Chinese restaurant cited pandemic-related challenges as its reason for closing. Imperial Lamian, which opened in the spring of 2016, was lauded by the Chicago Tribune as having the best xiaolongbao (or XLB for short) in the city. Dozens of people expressed how much they would miss the restaurant in the comments section of the social media posts. See the full story here. — Grace Wong
Income Tax
Income Tax brought a much-needed wine bar to Edgewater, furthering the trend of easy-drinking, non-pretentious wine lists. (Phil Velasquez / Chicago Tribune)
Ownership for the laid-back Edgewater wine bar confirmed via email that the pandemic’s effect on Income Tax’s financials led to its closing. It had been open since 2016.
Jeri’s Grill
The diner on Western Avenue was a monument to greasy spoons of yore, open for 57 years and 24 hours a day, and was cut down by COVID-19, reported Block Club Chicago in May. “If there was no COVID, we’d be open,” owner Frank Di Piero told the publication.
Katana
Katana brought its robatayaki-style restaurant to the River North neighborhood in 2017. (Katana)
A spokesperson for the parent company of the River North sushi restaurant wrote in an email: “Yes, the COVID closure was a devastating financial hit for us and the reason behind our closure … The Chicago location was very special to us, and we were sad to close.”
Kiki’s Bistro
Diners raise a toast during a wine dinner at Kiki’s Bistro, 900 N. Franklin St., May 4, 2006. The restaurant announced it would close permanently at the end of September 2020. (Wes Pope / Chicago Tribune)
Earlier this summer, changes to the OpenTable website for Kiki’s Bistro caused some confusion over whether or not the beloved River North spot had closed for good. The restaurant shared a clarification that, for now, it would be open for business. Sadly, however, Kiki’s website changed late last week, indicating that the restaurant will close permanently after the final day of service Sept. 30. “We appreciate the birthdays, anniversaries, special occasions and everyday meals that you spent dining and laughing with us. Those memories have sustained us through the last few months, as your visits did for those many years,” read the post. It wasn’t all bad news, though, mentioning that a small-time operation remains on the radar for Kiki’s founder Georges “Kiki” Cuisance: “Kiki, 87, is attempting retirement with an open eye for a potential petite Kiki’s — a tiny, cozy reboot with the potential to offer authentic French fare you love on a very intimate scale.” See the full story here. — Adam Lukach
Kroll’s South Loop
One of the South Loop’s signature sports bars, Kroll’s South Loop, announced in a Facebook post that it would be closing its doors at the end of the summer. “We fought hard,” read the announcement. “The burden of operating under the current conditions is too great and, come fall, will be impossible to continue under the current indoor capacity restrictions of 50 patrons. … We do not know whether this closure will last until next spring or forever. Only time will tell.” Kroll’s will remain open for dinner service Thursdays through Sundays until it concludes its 15-year run at the end of summer.
La Buona Vita
La Buona Vita, a Northern Italian restaurant in downtown La Grange closed its doors after a six-year run. In a message posted on the restaurant’s now-defunct website, owner Jim Barron named COVID-19 as the proximate cause of his restaurant’s demise. — Phil Vettel
La Fontanella
The owners of the longtime Italian restaurant had already planned to sell the building and restaurant prior to the pandemic, according to Block Club Chicago.
Lawry’s The Prime Rib
Lawry's, known by generations of Chicagoans for its prime rib, steaks and lush steakhouse trappings inside a former mansion, will close after service Dec. 31, 2020. (Abel Uribe / Chicago Tribune)
Lawry’s The Prime Rib, which has been a fixture on Ontario Street (just west of Michigan Avenue) for 46 years, called it quits at the end of 2020. The coronavirus, last summer’s civil unrest and an expiring lease all contributed to the decision, said Ryan Wilson, CEO of Lawry’s Inc. “In a year of incredible turmoil, this is a tough one for sure,” he said. “But with the industry in general in such a state of flux, we felt we had to push the pause button,” he added, leaving room for Lawry’s to reopen. “I think there’s a future for Lawry’s in the Chicago area,” Wilson said. See the full story here. — Phil Vettel
Links Taproom
Links Taproom. (Leigh Loftus / ThinkLeigh Photography)
Michael Quinlan, owner of the Milwaukee Avenue beer bar in Wicker Park, wrote in an email that Links was planning to move out of its storefront at some point in 2020 due to an acrimonious relationship with its landlord. Due the the COVID-19 shutdown, he decided to pull the plug on Links in March. As of late July, Quinlan indicated that ownership is “going to wait until things stabilize until we make our next move.”
Mesa Urbana
The Mexican restaurant will be consolidating operations, closing its Glenview restaurant and moving everything to its location in Portage Park, per a note on its website. The note cited the “situation” from COVID-19 as the impetus for the decision.
Mity Nice Bar & Grill
Along with Foodlife, this Water Tower Place restaurant from Lettuce Entertain You closed in early June. Ownership declined to disclose specific reasons.
Monty Gaels Tavern & Grill
The Irish tavern in Ravenswood closed permanently due to the burden of the pandemic shutdown, ownership confirmed in a Facebook message.
Passerotto
Passerotto in Andersonville in July 2018.
The Andersonville restaurant announced over Labor Day weekend that it would be closing its doors permanently, in part due to the coronavirus pandemic. Passerotto’s last day is Sept. 12. Chef Jennifer Kim said the decision to close was a result of multiple conversations with staff and investors, and ultimately they decided that “operating a restaurant safely in the midst of multiple pandemics was going to negatively affect our community in the long run.” A pop-up project was also teased on the restaurant’s profile. See the full story here. — Grace Wong
Pepper Canister
The casual River North bar announced June 15 via Facebook it would be permanently closing, although it did not specifically reference the costs of shutting down for the pandemic as a reason.
Rainforest Cafe
Rainforest Cafe at the corner of Ohio and Clark Streets in Chicago on Thursday, August, 13, 2020. (Zbigniew Bzdak / Chicago Tribune)
The Rainforest Cafe in the Near North neighborhood has closed sooner than expected after it shut down during the coronavirus pandemic. The restaurant at 605 N. Clark St. was expected to close within two years, when its lease expired. That timeline was accelerated by the coronavirus pandemic, which has left the Chicago restaurant closed since March, said building owner Sean Conlon. He recently negotiated an early termination of the lease with parent company Landry’s Restaurants. He plans to redevelop the site. See the full story here. — Ryan Ori
Ramen Misoya (Streeterville)
Tonkotsu ramen at Ramen Misoya. (Michael Tercha / Chicago Tribune)
The Loop lost one of its best bets for ramen in August with the closing of Ramen Misoya’s storefront in Streeterville. “Due to a loss in business caused by the Covid-19 shutdown, we can no longer justify continuing operations at this time,” read a post on its Facebook page. On the bright side, the Mount Prospect location of Misoya remains open.
Redmond’s Ale House
Remond’s Ale House has closed due to the financial stress of the COVIID-19 restrictions. The Wrigleyville bar, which had been at the corner of Sheffield and Roscoe for years, was known for offering an abundance of drink deals and for being an area staple for game-watching due to plenty of TVs and good sightlines.
Rickshaw Republic
Owners confirmed via email that the state’s COVID-19 shutdown caused financial losses that required the Indonesian restaurant in Lincoln Park to permanently close.
Ronny’s Steakhouse
Ronny’s, a cafeteria-style “steakhouse” that had occupied two separate downtown corners for years, announced plans to close due to the coronavirus in a Facebook announcement over Labor Day weekend. “We won’t say ‘good bye’ but rather ‘until we meet again,’” read the post. The Loop staple began 63 years ago at the corner of State and Randolph and, in recent years, operated at the corner of Clark and Lake.
La Sardine
La Sardine's terrine de foie gras featured layers of creamy foie gras mixed with thinly sliced black truffle, drizzled with a tart and slightly sweet cherry sauce and crowned with slices of extra buttery brioche. (Nick Kindelsperger/Chicago Tribune)
La Sardine, which has been a fixture in the West Loop for nearly 22 years, has closed for good. “It’s sad,” said partner and executive chef Oliver Poilevey about closing La Sardine, founded by his parents, along with Le Bouchon in Bucktown. “A month, month-and-a-half ago, I thought we were going to make it.” La Sardine has no outdoor space in which to set up tables, but had eked by with meals-to-go and, eventually, indoor dining with the 25% capacity limitation. Then the weather turned warm and the unthinkable happened: The air conditioning broke down. Looking at $80,000 in repairs, Poilevey knew he could not risk taking on the cost. “There’s no way we could pay for that, heading into the fall with no rent abatement,” Poilevey said. “Throwing 80K at something and then having to close — that’s not a good plan.” Le Bouchon remains open for pickup and indoor dining, though space inside is limited. For the full story, go here. — Phil Vettel
Siam Rice
Siam Rice, 117 N. Wells St., has called it quits after 18 years. (Alex Garcia / Chicago Tribune)
Siam Rice (117 N. Wells St.) has closed after 18 years in the Loop, according to a note posted on the Thai restaurant’s window. "Unfortunately, we have come to the decision that it is no longer viable to operate our business during these uncertain times,” the note said. “This was a difficult decision for us, however, recent events and current pandemic conditions have left us concerned for the safety of our customers as well as our staff.” The note ends with an apology to customers and the hope that the restaurant will be able to return in the future. The restaurant’s last day Sept. 15.
Simply It
The Vietnamese restaurant, which had been in Lincoln Park for nearly 14 years, closed permanently in April, reported Block Club Chicago. COVID-19 restrictions and unworkable margins gave owner Tuan Nguyen “no choice” but to close, he told Block Club.
People eat and drink as others pass by Southport Lanes in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood on Sept. 17, 2020. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune)
Southport Lanes
Southport Lanes has lasted nearly a century by evolving, at various times serving as a tavern, bowling alley, speak-easy, brothel and illegal off-track horse betting venue. But the Lakeview mainstay, which opened not long after another pandemic, couldn’t survive COVID-19. Read the full story here. — Ryan Ori
Step Down Cafe
The Pilsen coffee shop announced on its Facebook page that it would close permanently due to the effects of the pandemic.
Taco in a Bag
The Big Jim Reeves was a big hit at Taco in a Bag. (Nick Kindelsperger / Chicago Tribune)
Taco in a Bag has closed after five years in Lincoln Square. The shop specialized in playful versions of walking tacos, a dish where components one would normally find on a taco are instead poured into a bag of corn chips. The restaurant announced the closure on Facebook with a surprisingly irreverent, if slightly hopeful video. The owners assured fans that, “we will be back...promise!!!!” Block Club Chicago first reported the closing.
Taqueria Sabor y Sazon
The popular Pilsen taqueria closed permanently in May. The financial difficulties of trying to survive the pandemic’s hospitality restrictions were insurmountable, the owners said.
Tin Fish
The Tin Fish restaurant closed in Tinley Park. (Bob Bong / Daily Southtown)
The coronavirus claimed another high-profile restaurant victim with the permanent closure of Tin Fish, a highly regarded restaurant in south-suburban Tinley Park. A sign on the front door of the seafood restaurant and oyster bar thanked customers “for 18 great years,” and said the decision to close came “with a heavy heart.” “I’m not happy, but it’s something a lot of us are going through,” said partner Curtis Wierbicki, who launched the restaurant in September 2002 with partner Colin Turner. The restaurant closed in July. See the full story here. — Phil Vettel
Tintos & Tapas
Laura Rivera, the owner of the Spanish small plates restaurant, confirmed via email that the closing of Tintos & Tapas was due to the financial strain of the COVID-19 shutdown, as well as its effects on how it operated: “My chef and I cried the last day we were there to clean up,” she wrote. “Carryout is not a model that works for my type of operation at all. Frankly, it is demoralizing to become a fast food.”
Toast Restaurant
Owner Jeanne Roeser confirmed in a Facebook message that she had closed both the Bucktown and Lincoln Park locations of the 24-year-old breakfast favorite: “I couldn’t imagine reopening and surviving with reduced capacity and putting my staff and their families at risk of harm.” Roeser also posted a goodbye note on Facebook, which reads in part: “Nothing lasts forever in this world and it is time to move forward and see what this next phase will bring. I wish you peace and good health, my friends.”
Trattoria No. 10
A goodbye post on the reliable Italian restaurant’s website alluded to the pandemic shutdown as cause for its shuttering, reading, “With no theater and no convention/tourism business for the foreseeable future, there was just no way we could realistically reopen.”
Two Lights Seafood & Oyster
A post on the Old Town restaurant’s Facebook page confirmed that Two Lights has closed, although it did not mention whether or not the shuttering was due to the financial effects of COVID.
U.B. Dogs
U.B. Dogs served classic Chicago hot dog stand fare with serious culinary ambitions. (Nick Kindelsperger / Chicago Tribune)
U.B. Dogs (185 N. Franklin St.), a stellar hot dog joint that served a flawless fully loaded Chicago hot dog, freshly grilled burgers and great fries, has closed. With the coronavirus pandemic forcing countless downtown office workers to telecommute from home, the Loop-based U.B. Dogs decided it was time to close for good. Owner Joe Plonka announced the decision on Facebook: “While it breaks our hearts to announce our permanent closure, we wanted to take the time and properly thank our customers and family for their support over these last 10 years. Unfortunately, it’s time for us to end this chapter.” See the full story here. — Nick Kindelsperger
Unicorn Cafe
Unicorn Cafe had been serving coffee to Evanston for almost 30 years before the coffee shop closed permanently due to the financial effects of COVID-19, reported the Daily Northwestern earlier in September. According to the Daily report, ownership said the cafe was getting only 8-10 customers per day. Aside from being a local staple, Unicorn Cafe was one of only a handful of area coffee shops that offered the highly touted Sparrow Coffee.
Wells St. Market
Wells Street Market, which reopened July 6 after weathering the first three months of the coronavirus shut down (and was the first Chicago food hall to resume service) announced it will close for keeps Sept. 18. “From all of us at the Wells Street Market, it has been an honor and a joy to serve Chicagoans every day,” the company said in a release. The food hall made its debut, at 205 W. Wacker Drive, in June 2018. The food hall format had enjoyed a boom in Chicago in recent years. But most have not reopened since the coronavirus shutdown. Only Time Out Market has reopened. But a new market, Dr. Murphy’s Food Hall, launched in early August in the former Cook County Hospital. — Phil Vettel
The Whale closing indefinitely
The Whale (2427 N. Milwaukee Ave.), the glitzy Logan Square restaurant named for what casinos call an obscenely wealthy gambler, closed indefinitely last week. In a message posted on Facebook, the owners blamed the closing on the tight restrictions the state has imposed on restaurants. “Today we were forced to make the decision to lay off all our team members and close our doors to service. The restrictions that have been put on us by the elected officials are suffocating our industry and leaving us no choice. There has been no plan in place or system for relief.” The Whale opened last year, quickly amassing a strong following, though we found the food to be less than stellar. While it’s unknown how long the restaurant will be closed, the owners promise it will eventually return. “We WILL re-open and come back strong. We look forward to serving you again when that time comes.” — Nick Kindelsperger


chicagotribune--2020-09-23--Kiki’s Bistro closing, ending French cafe’s 30 years in downtown Chicago

Ownership soon took to social media to remind guests that , yes , Kiki ’ s was still open , @ @ @ @ @ last long .
Last week , an announcement went up on the Kiki ’ s @ @ @ @ @ 50 years of classic French fare for Chicago comes to an end September 30 , @ @ @

Kiki's Bistro founder Georges "Kiki" Cuisance, shown emerging from his Citroen outside his restaurant June 25, 2010, said he plans to retire but left open a window for a potential "petite Kiki’s." (Chris Walker / Chicago Tribune)
Earlier this summer, when the pandemic shutdown was fresh, a missing OpenTable listing for Kiki’s Bistro inspired some confusion as to whether the French restaurant was still open.
Ownership soon took to social media to remind guests that, yes, Kiki’s was still open, but that didn’t last long. Last week, an announcement went up on Kiki’s website stating plainly: “50 years of classic French fare for Chicago comes to an end September 30, 2020.”
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Diners raise a toast during a wine dinner at Kiki’s Bistro (900 N. Franklin St.) on May 4, 2006. The longtime French cafe announced that its last day of service will be Sept. 30, 2020.
To be clear, that’s 50 years for Kiki’s founder Georges “Kiki” Cuisance, who opened the doors to the bistro in 1990 at 900 N. Franklin St. after closing his former French restaurant Le Bordeaux in the Loop.
According to the announcement, Cuisance is planning to retire, although this might be part of a move toward opening a “potential petite Kiki’s — a tiny, cozy reboot with the potential to offer authentic French fare you love on a very intimate scale.”
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The Near North Side restaurant plans to auction off its kitchen equipment, as well as some memorabilia, at a later date. Plans for a digital auction this week encountered technical issues with the auction website.


chicagotribune--2020-09-23--Gary man faces mail fraud, attempted bank fraud charges: indictment alleges $280K diverted from Muns

Gary man faces mail fraud, attempted bank fraud charges: indictment alleges $280K diverted from Munster senior facility

“ Seniors are some of our more vulnerable citizens .
Those in senior care facilities are dependent upon the care @ @ @ @ @ well-being , ” said United States Attorney Thomas L. Kirsch II in a release .
@ @ @ @ @ a facility like this can have a severe negative impact on the residents in the @ @ @ @ @ results in diminished resources that should be available for the residents ' care and well-being @ @ @ @ @ to protecting vulnerable seniors and working with our investigative agencies to investigate and prosecute those @ @ @ @ @ .
”

A 23-year-old Gary man has been indicted on two counts of mail fraud and one count of attempted bank fraud, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office.
According to documents in the case, Da’Ione Fields, 23 of Gary, was working as a contract security guard for a senior living facility in Munster and that from Oct. 18 to about Dec. 3, 2019, he engaged in a scheme to defraud the facility of more than $280,000.
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The indictment alleges that on two occasions Fields completed a USPS Change of Address form to redirect the facility’s mail to Fields' address in Gary, a release said.
Between Oct. 18 and Nov. 22, 2019, Fields cashed approximately 31 insurance reimbursement and other checks payable to the facility totaling more than $220,000, the release said. On Nov. 21, 2019, Fields opened a corporate account at a bank in Gary, misrepresenting himself as an authorized representative of the facility and depositing six more checks totaling more than $60,000, a release said.
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“Seniors are some of our more vulnerable citizens. Those in senior care facilities are dependent upon the care they receive there for their well-being,” said United States Attorney Thomas L. Kirsch II in a release. “The alleged theft from a facility like this can have a severe negative impact on the residents in the facilities' care. Theft results in diminished resources that should be available for the residents' care and well-being. My Office is committed to protecting vulnerable seniors and working with our investigative agencies to investigate and prosecute those who steal from their employers.”
The United States Attorney’s Office emphasizes that an Indictment is merely an allegation and that all persons are presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty in court.
This case is being investigated by United States Postal Inspection Service. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Diane Berkowitz and Abizer Zanzi.