CHICAGO — As the city continues its battle against coronavirus and tries to emerge from months of lockdown, it is now grappling with widespread damage from a weekend of vandalism, theft and destruction.
What began as peaceful protests of the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis led to scores of other people around Chicago causing damage to large and small businesses. It was a scene that played out all over America.
Block Club reporters are following what’s happening in neighborhoods all around the city. We’ll post updates here. Have a tip? Email us at newsroom@blockclubchi.org.
TUESDAY
9:00 p.m. City to Partially Reopen Downtown On Wednesday
After days of public transit shutdowns and road closures cutting Chicagoans off from The Loop, city officials will start reopening the area tomorrow.
There still will be some restrictions, but all Chicagoans will be able to get into Downtown starting at 5:00 a.m. Wednesday. –Kelly Bauer
8:00 p.m.: Mayor Lightfoot Says She Is Urging Along Police Reform
Amid widespread demonstrations protesting police violence, Mayor Lori Lightfoot said she wants to speed up the timeline for reform in the Chicago Police Department.
In a speech Tuesday night, the mayor said Supt. David Brown pledged to enact several improvements within 90 days, including overhauled officer training and crisis intervention.
“… Yes, we are under a consent decree, but the process of reform has been too slow and too narrowly focused,” Lightfoot said. –Kelly Bauer
Read more on Lightfoot’s speech here
7:30 p.m.: Logan Square “Much Calmer” Monday, Neighborhood Leaders Say
Several Logan Square businesses were targeted in looting. But it’s not been nearly as bad as social media rumors might suggest, according to local leaders.
It could look worse than it because some business owners boarded up their property as a precaution. Jessica Wobbekind, executive director for the Logan Square Chamber of Commerce, said fewer than 10 Logan Square businesses were broken into.
“I don’t think the damage was nearly as bad as it looks with all of the boards up,” Wobbekind said. –Mina Bloom
6:30 p.m.: A Lincoln Park Store Was Looted — Twice
Numerous businesses have been broken into throughout the city but a Lincoln Park store was targeted two days in a row.
The back window was smashed Innovative Wellness, 1552 W. Fullerton Ave., on Saturday. The next day, a group looted the store and stole cash, computers and CBD.
But the owner says he wasn’t angry.
“People are really angry right now, and I can empathize with them so much,” CEO Dr. Rahul Khare said. –Jake Wittich
5:30 p.m. Black Legislators Plead For End To Looting, Criticize Lightfoot For Inadequate Police Response on South, West Sides
State lawmakers spoke out against widespread property destruction in the South and West sides Tuesday afternoon, saying the damage is hurting communities already hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic.
Meanwhile, Black aldermen accused Mayor Lori Lightfoot and police Supt. David Brown of concentrating police presence in downtown, leaving South and West side neighborhoods in the lurch.
Both Lightfoot and Brown have denied those claims.
“During the evening we saw no police presence respond despite numerous calls,” Rep. Lamont J. Robinson (D-5) said. — Jamie Nesbitt Golden
5:15 p.m.: Far North Side Neighbors Organize Donations To Help South, West Side Communities
Looting and property damage has not as widespread throughout some North Side neighborhoods, so now residents want to focus on helping communities where looting was more severe.
Ald. Harry Osterman 48th Ward office will start collect items to donate to cleanup and relief efforts. Supplies will go to the office of Ald. Emma Mitts (37th), who is coordinating clean up in West Garfield Park and Austin.
Osterman also is asking residents to money to a South Side food pantry and after-school organization. –Joe Ward
Read more on how you can help here
4:45 p.m. Police Order Little Village Businesses To Close Tuesday
District police asked businesses along 26th Street to close Tuesday afternoon, according to the local alderman and chamber of commerce.
But it is not clear why. — Mauricio Peña
4:15 p.m.: Man Standing Guard Over Humboldt Park Businesses Shot During Night Of Frequent Gunfire
Police raced down streets and gunfire tore through Humboldt Park for hours Monday night.
Police only could confirm one shooting. A 31-year-old man was shot and injured outside a Mexican restaurant while he and several others were keeping watch over North Avenue businesses to try to prevent looting.
The victim is recovering at home.
“I’m just trying to move forward. I have a daughter and I just want to move forward from all of this,” the man said. — Mina Bloom
4:30 p.m.: Ravenswood Pet Shop Broken Into, But Dogs Okay.
North Side aldermen said there was an uptick in vandalism of local businesses Monday. One was a pet shop that had its front window smashed. But nothing was stolen and no dogs were harmed.
“Thankfully the only window broken was in the front retail area and nowhere near where the dogs stay for day care and boarding,” the owner said. –Alex V. Hernandez
4:00 p.m.: Coronavirus Progress Tenuous As Dozens More Die In Illinois
State public health officials are urging people not to dismiss the risk of coronavirus. Officials said 113 more people died from COVID-19 infections in the past day.
The numbers have trended in the right direction, enabling city leaders to go forward with the next phase of reopening business and recreation Wednesday. But Alison Arwady, commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health, warned that progress can quickly reverse.
“It means that we are not done,” Arwady said. “This progress is fragile at best.” –Kelly Bauer
3:45 p.m.: South Side Cowboy Harassed, Has Car Egged After False Social Media Posts Claim He Stole Police Horse
A South Side cowboy who gained fame for his viral videos is now being targeted by false social media posts claiming he stole his horse from police.
Adam Hollingsworth, a Black cowboy who rides under the name Dreadheadcowboy, normally takes his horses, Prince and Bella, around the South Side and Downtown to delight people. He’s recently ridden his horse at protests in honor of George Floyd, a Black man killed by police in Minneapolis.
But people have snapped videos of Hollingsworth riding at protests in Chicago and posted them on Facebook, Twitter and other social media sites, claiming he stole Bella from a mounted police officer. One Twitter post, which read “Breaking: Protester stole a horse from police,” was retweeted more than 8,000 times and watched more than 1 million times.
3:07 p.m.: West Town Neighbors Spend Night On Chicago Avenue To Support Protesters, Deter Looters
Inspired by similar efforts in other neighborhoods, West Town neighbors gathered along Chicago Avenue on Monday in an effort to protect small businesses from looting.
The goal was not to protest what’s happening in the city, neighbor Neal McKnight said — but rather to deter would-be looters from targeting locally-owned shops while simultaneously supporting the Black Lives Matter movement.
They brought lawn chairs, beer and ordered pizza. From a safe distance they hung out from as early as 5 p.m. to as late as 2 a.m. -Hannah Alani
3:00 p.m.: Loop Restaurant Wants To Spruce Up Boarded-Up Businesses
After someone hurled a bottle through his restaurant’s window, Sean Rouzbeh saw an opportunity.
Rouzbeh realized he could decorate the plywood that replaced the broken window at The Marq at 60 W. Adams St.. By Tuesday morning, he and several employees began painting.
Maybe other businesses that suffered damage could do the same, he said. –Bob Chiarito
1:37 p.m.: South Loop Community Comes Together To Clean Up Vandalized Businesses
South Loop neighbors showed up with brooms, dustpans and gloves Sunday to help small businesses after they were vandalized during weekend looting.
Neighbors from the “Hello South Loop“ Facebook group coordinated cleanup efforts. Resident Lenita Gipson said there were 50-75 people involved in the effort, some of whom showed up as early as 6 a.m. Sunday to help.
“There were so many people walking around with brooms and dustpans. It was an amazing sight,” Gipson said. -Siri Chilukuri
1:14 p.m.: Trump Can’t Send Military To Chicago, Lightfoot Says: ‘That’s Not Gonna Happen’
The president alarmed many with comments that he wished the military could occupy areas where there has been widespread vandalism. Then he threatened to send armed forces to cities.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot said no way. She’s consulted with attorneys and she’s confident the president has no authority to do that.
“It’s not gonna happen, not in my city,” Lightfoot said. — Kelly Bauer
11 a.m.: Chicago To Move To Phase 3 Of Reopening Plan As Scheduled
Chicago officials reversed themselves and said the city will continue easing local restrictions around coronavirus, despite saying they would delay the plan because of days of local protests and vandalism.
Phase 3 will start Wednesday. That means restaurants and coffee shops will partially reopen. Several types of non-essential businesses, offices and outdoor facilities will reopen, too.
But gatherings still are limited to 10 people or fewer. — Kelly Bauer
10:15 a.m.: Neighborhood Leaders Plead For Unity After Black Chicagoans Harassed In Latino Neighborhoods
It started as a story about some Latinos banding together to defend their neighborhoods from people trying to loot businesses.
But some of that turned ugly, according to local leaders, with some residents harassing Black Chicagoans and throwing bricks at their cars.
“The Latinx community needs to support our African American brothers and sisters,” Ald. Michael Rodriguez (22nd) said. “If any of our community are out of line, we need to call it out.” — Mauricio Peña
10 a.m.: Those Rumors About Hidden Gas Cans? Those Aren’t True.
When tensions are high, there’s always a risk of false information spreading through social media.
Count as false those rumors you might have heard about gas cans hidden near homes. Chicago Police and the Chicago Fire Department both said it’s a falsehood being spread by people trying to stoke fear.
“We haven’t heard or had anything like that at all,” Sally Bown, a Chicago police spokesman, said about the gas can rumor. — Bob Chiarito
8:12 a.m.: Devastated South Siders Clean Up After Losing Vital Local Businesses To Looting: ‘I Don’t Want People To Think Chicago Is Like This’
Nigel Telman marched in the protests Downtown on Saturday.
On Monday, he helped clean up his neighborhood of Kenwood with about a dozen or so residents.
Telman, broom in hand, wanted to set a good example.
“I want … people to come through and see that the community is not about the looting, the community is about helping each other. I really saw that here today.” — Colin Boyle
8 a.m.: West Side Violence Interrupters Shift From Stopping Shootings To Cleaning Up Neighborhoods Hit Hard By Looting
After a weekend of looting and fires, West Side neighbors mobilized to clean up storefronts and parks Monday.
Cleanups in North Lawndale were coordinated by UCAN, a local youth services group, in collaboration with Ald. Michael Scott Jr. (24th) groups like Harmony Community Church. The cleanup was supported by UCAN’s street outreach workers who intervene to stop violence from happening in hotspots in the neighborhood.
Outreach worker Dandre Warren said they have shifted from stopping violence to helping fix up the West Side and help young people in the area to do the same. -Pascal Sabino
7:53 a.m.: ‘This Isn’t The Pride Parade’: North Side Black Lives Matter March A Reminder That Black, Trans Women Started Gay Liberation Movement
At least 1,000 people marched through Boystown and Uptown on Monday to protest police brutality and the murder of George Floyd — an overwhelmingly peaceful demonstration that largely dispersed before some instances of trouble were reported.
It was the first day of Pride Month in Chicago and the protest started in Boystown, a historically queer neighborhood. Some protesters pointed out the gay liberation movement was started by queer Black people and it was important to them to recognize what people of color have done for the LGBTQ community and to try to help Black Chicagoans.
Still, organizer Tatyana Sampson stressed “this isn’t the Pride Parade.” -Jake Wittich and Joe Ward
7:43 a.m.: CPS Will Resume Giving Free Meals To Kids Tuesday
Chicago Public Schools suspended its free meal program Monday, but the program will return Tuesday.
The district has handed out more than 13 million meals since school was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic, hoping to helps families in need. But CPS temporarily stopped the program Monday.
The sites are open 9 a.m.-1 p.m. -Kelly Bauer
7:41 a.m.: CTA Resumes Some Service Tuesday Morning
The CTA shut down again Monday night, but it resumed service — still with significant disruptions — early Tuesday.
Buses and trains into the Loop continue to be halted.
7:36 a.m.: Chicago Might Not Move Into Phase 3 Of Reopening Amid Protests, Other Gatherings, City’s Top Doctor Warns
The city’s top doctor is expected to announce Tuesday morning if the city will be able to move into the next phase of reopening amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Chicago was expected to move into Phase 3 of the state reopening plan Wednesday, meaning more businesses and outdoor activities would be able to open up. But Dr. Allison Arwady, head of the Chicago Department of Public Health, warned earlier this week that might not be possible due to the mass gatherings seen over the weekend.
And it wasn’t just the protests over the murder of George Floyd that could have led to widespread transmission of COVID-19, Arwady noted — people gathered in other ways amid the nice weather. -Kelly Bauer
MONDAY
9:30 p.m.: South Siders Clean Up Weekend Damage, Even As Some Property Damage Continues
With broken glass crunching under their feet, South Side residents of all ages turned out to help start neighborhood recovery after widespread looting.
Many volunteers didn’t need to be asked or persuaded to help. They heard through the grapevine more people were needed, and they showed up.
“A few people did something bad, but a lot of good people came out to make it better,” Ald. Michelle Harris said. –Maxwell Evans
8:30 p.m.: Neighbors Turn Out In Force To Clean Up Wicker Park, Bucktown
Dozens of local businesses were damaged in Wicker Park and Bucktown but neighbors needed little prompting to head out and start cleaning up.
Residents grabbed household tools to sweep up glass and help business owners board their doors. They even went to different neighborhoods to help out.
“I felt like cleaning up was the little I could do and it reminds me that there are still people that care about our city and our communities,” one neighbor said. –Hannah Alani
7:45 p.m.: CTA Shutting Down at 9:30 p.m.
The entire Chicago public transit system is closing down Monday night and for the second night in a row.
All trains and buses will stop running at 9:30 p.m., after operating on a very limited schedule throughout the day.
A citywide curfew still is in effect between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m.
6:45 p.m.: Chicago Public Schools To Resume Free Meals On Tuesday
CPS suspended its free meal program Monday, leaving thousands of families and children without critical meals and prompting community organizers and restaurants to help fill the void.
But CPS said Monday that the program would start again Tuesday. –Kelly Bauer
6:30 p.m.: Protesters, Aldermen Demand City Crack Down On Police Brutality
Protest organizers are demanding major structural changes to local policing in response to the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
Black Lives Matter and other activist groups are demanding a moratorium on arresting marchers, the firing of officers using excessive force against protesters and the defunding of the police. They also called for detained demonstrators to be released.
“Until our demands are met, you can find us in these streets,” Kristiana Rae Colón, co-founder of the Let Us Breathe Collective, said Monday. –-Joe Ward
6:00 p.m.: Albany Park Jeweler, In Neighborhood For 25 Years, Loses $50,000 In Merchandise In Break-In
As community leaders surveyed damage in Northwest Side neighborhoods, Bernard Jewelers looked to be among the worst hit.
Someone broke into the family-owned business sometime Sunday night, and broke open display cases holding jewelry. Owner Gabriel Martinez estimated that $50,000 worth of watches and jewelry were stolen.
His store opened in Albany Park in 1994.
“We’ve always been in the Albany Park area. It just sad to see this,” daughter Itzel Martinez said. “When I heard about this last night, it’s pretty scary. He worked really hard for this.”–Alex V. Hernandez
5:30 p.m.: State, City Shut Down Coronavirus Testing Sites
Gov. J.B. Pritzker said all city- and state-run testing sites are closed because of looting and vandalism in Chicago.
The governor said officials are evaluating day-by-day when they can reopen.–Kelly Bauer
5:25 p.m.: Pritzker Issues Disaster Proclamation For Cook County
Gov. J.B. Pritzker said the proclamation, issued Monday in Cook County and eight other counties, will allow the state more flexibility as officials try to help Chicago and other cities respond to widespread vandalism.
As part of the move, Pritzker called up more National Guard members and Illinois State Police officers to assist local police in Chicago and its suburbs.–Kelly Bauer
5:00 p.m.: Logan Square Business Owner Camps Out To Prevent Looting
Esam Hani owns seven businesses in Logan Square. But as looting spread through the neighborhood, not one of his businesses were touched.
Hani said that’s because he and some friends staked out his block — even using his van to block one of his store entrances — to keep watch over his restaurants, bars and liquor stores.
“You have to protect what’s yours. That’s all you have to do,” he said. –Mina Bloom
4:15 p.m.: Amid Mass Protests and Gatherings, Health Department Warns Coronavirus Still A Risk
Local health officials warned it’s still possible to spread and contract deadly coronavirus as thousands of Chicagoans have gathered for demonstrations and volunteer efforts.
City and state officials for weeks have banned large gatherings in order to prevent spread of the disease. Rates of infection slowed enough for the state and city of Chicago to begin opening more businesses and services this month.
But Dr. Allison Arwady, head of the Chicago Department of Public Health, said such large demonstrations could provide more opportunities for people to get sick.
“And that’s because COVID-19 is caused by a virus, and that virus does not care what else is going on in the city.” –Kelly Bauer
3:00 p.m. Black Lives Matter Plans Peaceful Protest On North Side
Demonstrators plan to march on the North Side on Monday, starting in Lakeview–and Black organizers are urging white protesters to remain peaceful.
The march continues the fourth straight day of demonstrations throughout Chicago protesting the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
Previous demonstrations have been peaceful but separate groups and individuals have damaged property, stolen merchandise from local businesses, and injured people on the heels of the protests. An organizer warned any such behavior will disproportionately put Black people in danger.
“As a Black person, if violence erupts, we will be the first to get hurt; you are risking the safety of everyone,” Tatyana Sampson said. –Jake Wittich
2:45 p.m. Man Shot In Logan Square, Neighbor Says He Was Part Of Group Trying To Prevent Looting
A man was shot in the arm in Logan Square on Sunday night, according to police, which occurred as he and other neighbors were trying to stop looting at a local Binny’s.
The group was guarding another local store and rushed across the street when they saw Binny’s being looted.
The man is in good condition after being taken to Illinois Masonic Hospital. No one has been arrested. –Mina Bloom
2:30 p.m.: Police Arrest 3 Protesters In South Shore
A large group of protesters and police clashed in South Shore on Monday afternoon as community leaders tried to calm the atmosphere.
Around 100 protesters and 100 police officers gathered on East 71st Street. As tensions rose, police arrested three people. –Maxwell Evans
1:30 p.m.: National Guard Won’t Enter Neighborhoods, Top Cop Says
The Illinois National Guard still has soldiers surrounding the Downtown area and limiting who can go into the Loop and River North.
Chicago Police Supt. David Brown said the city would continue to focus on using police, rather than National Guard soldiers, to patrol in residential neighborhoods and work with residents.
“We built the community trust and it’s fragile,” Brown said. “We don’t want to take it for granted.”
Some aldermen told the Sun-Times they were frustrated by the decision to keep the Guard Downtown. –Kelly Bauer
1:15 p.m. West Humboldt Park Resident Leading Neighborhood Cleanups
Charles Pickett, 25, whose family has lived in West Humboldt Park for decades, is helping to organize cleanups and raise money for local businesses damaged after protests this weekend.
A few intersections in the area — Kedzie and Chicago avenues, North Avenue and Pulaski Road and Madison Street and Pulaski Road — were hit particularly hard, according to Pickett.
“If we can give them $100-200 to help fix their windows, that’s something that helps relieve pain on their end,” Pickett said. –Mina Bloom
Read more about how to get involved here.
If you want to volunteer to cleanup South and West Side neighborhoods, check out our guide to those opportunities here.
12:30 p.m.: Protesters Should Report Police Misconduct, Lightfoot Says: ‘We Will Hold Them Accountable’
Mayor Lori Lightfoot urged protesters who were mistreated by police over the weekend to report misconduct Monday.
Protesters say they were knocked over, hit with batons and pepper sprayed during demonstrations over the weekend.
“Now, there have been some reports of misconduct on the part of our personnel,” Lightfoot said Monday. “If that is so, we will investigate and we will get to the bottom of it. We will not spare any resource to do so.”
“If you think you’ve been mistreated by police, file a complaint with COPA by calling 311,” Lightfoot said. “We are not gonna abandon our values around police reform and accountability and holding officers responsible.” –Kelly Bauer
12:30 p.m.: City Will Rebuild Vandalized Neighborhoods On South, West Sides And Beyond, Lightfoot Says
The city is moving to protect and make repairs in neighborhoods, which were hit hard by vandalism and looting Sunday.
Chicago saw peaceful protesters throughout the day Sunday, with people marching and chanting in honor of George Floyd, a Black man killed by police in Minneapolis. But separate groups of people used the weekend as an opportunity to steal, smash store windows and burn down buildings.
The South and West sides of the city faced the worst of the damage.
Hoping to help with repairs and curb further incidents, the city is keeping police on patrol throughout residential neighborhoods and city workers are pouring into commercial corridors to start fixing the damage.
Police officers will continue to work 12-hour shifts, patrolling neighborhoods and arresting people for vandalism and theft, said Supt. David Brown. The Illinois National Guard still has soldiers surrounding the Downtown area and limiting who can go into the Loop and River North. – Kelly Bauer
12:28 p.m: Don’t Take Matters Into Your Own Hands, Wary Top Cop And Mayor Tell Chicagoans After Days Of Looting, Shootings
Chicago Police Supt. David Brown said 699 people were arrested Sunday, primarily for looting. Of those arrest, 461 took place on the South and West sides, Brown said. Police officers found 64 guns during the course of those arrests, he said.
Aside from the property damage, the city saw its most violent weekend of the year. There were 48 shootings and 17 people killed on Sunday alone, Brown said, adding that 132 officers were also injured.
The city’s 911 dispatchers fielded 65,000 calls for service Sunday — at times getting 1,000-2,000 calls every 30 seconds, Lightfoot said.
Neighbors in Wicker Park complained about not being able to get through to 911, and others said they would take matters into their own hands when confronted with looters. Lightfoot urged people to keep calling 911 — and not open fire on people. – Kelly Bauer
12:00 p.m. Help Clean Up in Englewood, Chatham And Auburn Gresham
Community organizers are launching clean ups throughout hard hit South Side neighborhoods — and they need your help.
You can donate supplies or volunteer to work in a team of people. We’ll update as we find out more. –Jamie Nesbitt Golden
11:06 a.m. Protesters Should Report Police Misconduct, Lightfoot Says: ‘We Will Hold Them Accountable’
Mayor Lori Lightfoot urged protesters who were mistreated by police over the weekend to report misconduct Monday.
Some protesters said police were violent Saturday. A former Block Club reporter was pepper sprayed while covering the protest and reporters witnessed demonstrators being beaten with police batons.
“Now, there have been some reports of misconduct on the part of our personnel,” Lightfoot said Monday. “If that is so, we will investigate and we will get to the bottom of it. We will not spare any resource to do so.”
Meanwhile, police say they’ve been attacked in the neighborhoods as well. Brown said 132 officers were injured Sunday alone. – Kelly Bauer
9:27 a.m. West Side Neighborhoods That Never Recovered From ’68 Riots Decimated By Looting, Fires: History Is ‘Repeating Itself’
Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s move to restrict access to Downtown moved both peaceful protests and looters to the neighborhoods Sunday, leaving West Siders to fend for themselves, leaders said.
In Black communities on Chicago’s West Side, the police, city officials and residents “lost total control of the situation,” said State Rep. La Shawn Ford. Police were nowhere to be seen, he said, and businesses were left to fend for themselves. Fires and looting destroyed longtime businesses. — Pascal Sabino
9:08 a.m. Wicker Park Shops Decimated By Looting: ‘It’s Total Destruction … I Just Want This To Stop’
Wicker Park businesses along Milwaukee Avenue were decimated by looting Sunday — and police caught some looters in the act.
Groups of people drove up the boutique-lined street in cars, hopping out to steal clothes by the bundle from stores with already busted-out windows.
At Ragstock, 1459 N. Milwaukee Ave., police officers made a woman return clothing she stole from the business. —Colin Boyle, Hannah Alani
8:18 a.m. Here’s How You Can Help South, West Side Businesses Hit Hard By Looting, Vandalism
My Block, My Hood, My City is looking for volunteers to help repair businesses damaged this weekend on the South Side.
The South Side has been hit hard by people who broke into, stole from and vandalized businesses over the weekend. Jahmal Cole, founder of My Block, My Hood, My City, is now collecting funds and signing up volunteers to help those businesses make repairs.
“Out-of-state looters have taken hammers and batons to our communities, breaking windows of small businesses and spraying graffiti, using this crisis as an opportunity to tear down Black communities,” the organization wrote on its website. “Funds raised will go directly towards the repair of small businesses.” — Kelly Bauer
7:30 a.m. South Shore Cleanup From Looting Starts Monday Morning: ‘It Is Imperative We Do Not Decimate Our Own Communities’
After Sunday’s looting and damage along 71st Street, the South Shore Chamber and the Neighborhood Network Alliance have organized a cleanup of the area Monday morning.
The cleanup runs 8 a.m.-1 p.m. and will start in the parking lot of the South Shore Chamber headquarters, 1750 E. 71st St. Social distancing will be practiced.
Donations of heavy bags, brooms and shovels are needed, according to organizers. —Maxwell Evans
6:50 a.m.: CPS Not Giving Out Free Meals For Kids Monday
Chicago Public Schools suspended its free meal program Monday.
The district has been handing out meals since school was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic, hoping to helps families in need. But the district will temporarily stop the program Monday.
“Based on the evolving nature of activity across the city, we are suspending grab-and-go meal sites and all other school and administrative activities” for Monday, the district announced in a tweet on Sunday night.
It was not immediately clear if meal giveaways would continue after Monday. — Kelly Bauer
6 a.m. CTA Resumes Some Service, But Transit Remain Shut Down In Large Swaths Of City
After being shutdown citywide Sunday evening, the CTA resumed some service Monday, but in a limited capacity.
As of 6 a.m., Bus service not running between Western Avenue and the lakefront, from Fullerton to 47th Street.
Red Line service is suspended between Belmont Avenue and 47th Street. —Kelly Bauer
SUNDAY
11:30 p.m.: Little Village Residents Turn Out To Protect Neighborhood Businesses
With reports of looting throughout the city, community members stood watch in Little Village to stop anyone damaging property.
At least two stores were damaged Sunday when people smashed windows and stole merchandise, according to a local pastor. But then hundreds of people showed up to help guard businesses on 26th Street, a major commercial corridor.
“COVID has really rocked our community, any more damage to our community is the last thing we want now,” said Pastor Matt DeMateo, executive director of New Life Centers. — Mauricio Peña.
10:50 p.m.: Abrupt Public Transit Shutdown Strands Chicagoans
Trains and buses throughout the city and suburbs were halted on Sunday, leaving Downtown open only to some essential workers and residents.
But that meant lots of people out in the city had no way to get home Sunday.
The CTA, Metra, Pace and Divvy all cut and eventually stopped service. It is not clear when any will resume.
“I have no idea how I’m going to get home,” one man in Hyde Park said. –Jonathan Ballew
10:40 p.m.: Huge Protest March Streams Past Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s Home
With Downtown inaccessible for much of Sunday, demonstrators found a new route: the mayor’s neighborhood.
Hundreds gathered in Logan Square, which appeared to be one of the largest gatherings in the city Sunday. The group gathered at the Logan Monument earlier in the day and then marched throughout Logan Square, waving signs and chanting.
“Say his name! George Floyd!” protesters chanted as they marched by the mayor’s block. –Kelly Bauer
7 p.m.: Activists Beg People Looting Chicago: Please Don’t Destroy Our Neighborhoods
South Side community leaders said they understand the frustration protesters feel over police abuses and systemic racism in America. But they cautioned marchers that their actions could undue years of work to build up the South Side.
Asiaha Butler, executive director of Resident Association of Greater Englewood, said she watched looters on Sunday target stores near 66th and Halsted. As she watched protesters pick over retail stores in Englewood, Butler said she was thinking of the children and elderly residents of the neighborhood who have already been traumatized by police abuses and decades of disinvestment.
“I know they’re desperate,” Butler said. “This puts trauma on the very people that help individuals. Our communities are already disinvested, struggling to get jobs. This is going to set us back further behind. We’ve already been rebuilding.
“It’s not right, the way people have chosen to express themselves. I’ve never seen it in my life.” – Joe Ward, Jonathan Ballew
5:45 p.m.: CTA Shuts Down All Trains And Buses Sunday Night; Metra Service Cancelled Through Monday
All service on the CTA was suspended Sunday night — and the city announced the move just 45 minutes before halting service.
The CTA previously stopped service for trains and buses headed to the Loop, as officials tried to block crowds and prevent further destruction in the area. Buses were not running between Fullerton Avenue and 47th Street, and between the Lakefront and Western Avenue.
But after 5:15 p.m., it announced all service would be suspended as of 6:30 p.m. Sunday.
Later on Sunday night, Metra announced its entire system would be halted for all of Monday. It is unclear when train service would resume.
For coverage prior to Sunday evening, click here.
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