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Mayor Lightfoot says professional sports games will continue as usual in Chicago — for now

Professional sports games will continue as usual in Chicago, at least for the time being.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot said she spoke Wednesday with “all the major sports teams” in Chicago. With opening day games coming up for the Cubs and White Sox, Lightfoot said she’s talking to team officials, but they’re “not there yet” on restricting access, even as soccer games in Italy are being held in empty stadiums because of the virus.

“We’re mindful of the fact that the Fire (home opener) is on March 21st, and that opening day for the two sports teams, obviously the Blackhawks and the Bulls are playing,” Lightfoot said. “This is something that we are in conversation with them about. And we’re looking, and as the situation evolves we will be continuing those discussions on an ongoing basis. But we’re not there yet.”

On Wednesday, San Francisco’s mayor banned all gatherings of more than 1,000 people in the city, including Golden State Warriors NBA games. And in Washington state, Gov. Jay Inslee banned public gatherings of more than 250 people, including Seattle Mariners baseball games.

— John Byrne, Chicago Tribune

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