CHICAGO _ Chicago's Lakefront Trail, adjoining parks and beaches are closed, as well as The 606 trail, Chicago aldermen said in messages to constituents and social media posts.
"Starting today, all of Chicago's lakefront with its adjoining parks will be closed to the public until further notice. In addition, all fieldhouses, all playlots, all school playgrounds, the Chicago Riverwalk, and the 606 Trail are now closed to the public," Alderman James Cappleman, 46th, said in a letter to constituents. "These steps were taken to further limit COVID-19 infections due to projection rates that if this stricter stay-in-place order did not occur, we would have upwards of 40,000 residents requiring a hospitalization. This would decimate our healthcare system, leading to many deaths."
It was unclear whether Mayor Lori Lightfoot would close all other city parks as well.
On Wednesday, the mayor scolded restless Chicagoans who have taken advantage of spring weather and packed local parks, trails and the city's lakefront despite a growing number of people infected by the coronavirus disease.
Lightfoot's office did not immediately have a comment Thursday morning. She has a news conference scheduled for 1 p.m. local time.
Lakefront Alderman Harry Osterman announced the Lakefront Trail closing in an email to constituents.
"This includes parkland east of Marine Drive, as well as Berger Park," Osterman said. "This order has been put in place to ensure social distancing between individuals and to help reduce the spread of COVID-19."
North Side Alderman Andre Vasquez, 40th, also put out an advisory on Twitter saying the lakefront was closed starting at 8 a.m. Thursday "due to people disregarding social distancing measures."
Alderman Michele Smith, 43rd, said she talked to the mayor Thursday morning. City officials will close the lakefront and adjacent parks "till further notice," Smith said.
"Everyone regrets that we have to do this, but these next two weeks are critical to curb the spread of this disease," Smith said. "Unfortunately, one person's inadvertent contact, through no intentional fault of their own, is another person's case of coronavirus."
Alderman Scott Waguespack, 32nd, whose ward includes a stretch of The 606 trail, said it would be shut down. "The possibility of transmission increases by 20% when you have lots of people running and walking in close proximity like that, so it's important we take this step," said Waguespack, a key Lightfoot City Council ally.
As handfuls of runners tried to enter the Lakefront Trail at Fullerton Parkway on Thursday morning, police officers bellowed at people to turn around.
"Runners, the lakefront is closed," an officer said, using a microphone to amplify his voice.
The trail was closed off with a barrier, and a police vehicle sat nearby with lights flashing.
"She's got to do what she's got to do," Lori Kloehn said, referring to Lightfoot.
Kloehn, who uses the path nearly every day, steered clear Wednesday after hearing reports of crowds there due to sunny weather. Instead, she tried to go for a walk Thursday but was turned away.
"I refused to go on the path," she said of the day before.
Leigh Allan also was forced by police to turn back Thursday morning. He heard reports the day before that the mayor was considering closing the trail, but he thought he could get another walk in.
"I was surprised it came this fast," he said.
Even though they couldn't access the lakefront, dozens of runners and walkers made their way through the dirt paths in Lincoln Park throughout the morning.
Officials across the country, meanwhile, are desperately trying to curb the virus's spread. Lawmakers in Washington are considering a $2 trillion aid package to help businesses and citizens who have been devastated by the economic damage brought on by the coronavirus pandemic and efforts to stifle it.
Schools in Chicago and across the state remain closed, and bars and restaurants are off-limits to dine-in customers. Large gatherings have been prohibited, and last week, Gov. J.B. Pritzker issued a statewide stay-at-home order requiring people to remain in their homes except for certain exceptions such as going to work or the grocery store. Lightfoot reminded parents that playgrounds are off-limits as well.
"If there are people out there, and unfortunately there are, who are determined to do whatever they want despite orders, these are not recommendations. This isn't guidance. This is an order that's enforced by law," a visibly frustrated Lightfoot said at a Wednesday news conference. "We're going to give you an admonition, and if you don't turn right away and head home then you're going to get a citation. And if worse, yeah, we will take you into custody. I hope that it doesn't come to that. I hope I don't have to shut down the lakefront, and shut down all the parks, but I will if we cannot get compliance."
