Afternoon Edition: April 24, 2020

Good afternoon. Here’s the latest news you need to know in Chicago. It’s about a 4-minute read that will brief you on today’s biggest stories.

Happy Friday! This afternoon will be cloudy with a chance of showers. The high will be near 51 degrees, and the low tonight will be around 42 degrees. Saturday will be rainy with a high near 49 degrees, but Sunday will be nice: Mostly sunny with a high near 55 degrees. Since you probably won’t even want to go on a walk until then, here are some things to do while stuck inside tomorrow.

Top story

Coronavirus pandemic leads to drive-thru wakes; ‘You have to have an opportunity to say goodbye’

America’s love affair with the automobile has produced drive-thru restaurants, dry cleaners, coffee shops, prayer services, weddings — and now, thanks to the coronavirus pandemic, drive-through wakes like the one held for Rosemarie Santilli.

On Wednesday, cars turned off of Milwaukee Avenue into the parking lot at Kolssak Funeral Home in Wheeling. They threaded through orange cones and lane-dividers to approach two of the funeral home’s rear windows.

Behind the first window was the viewing parlor. Inside were chairs for Mrs. Santilli’s family and a microphone so they could communicate with the motorist-mourners. Another mic was set up outside the window for drivers.

Then, visitors pulled up to a second window to view Mrs. Santilli, who died Sunday at 91. She was dressed in pink shades, matching the spray of flowers on her casket with a ribbon emblazoned: “Loving Mom, Grandma.”

We’re making our vital coronavirus coverage free for all readers. See the latest news here.

Mrs. Santilli was born in 1928, went to Lucy Flower High School and worked as a bookkeeper. Her memorial prayer card bore the logos of her favorite teams — the Cubs and Blackhawks.

Drive-thru visitations like hers are one way funeral homes are riding out a pandemic that has led to bans on big gatherings.

“I know my mom would appreciate it,” said Mrs. Santilli’s son Gene.

“To not have the ability to show the love and support during these times, it’s horrible,” said Eric Noonan of Palatine, whose Ford Explorer also was part of the motorcade of mourners. “In a bad situation, it’s the best thing.”

Read the full story from Maureen O’Donnell.

More news you need

1. COVID-19 has dealt a terrible blow to thousands of Chicagoans, but it has been particularly cruel to the Tapirus, a hardworking immigrant family. After fighting for his life on a ventilator, Luis Tapiru woke up in the hospital to learn that his son and wife had both died of the disease.
2. Inspector General Joe Ferguson is working from home during the stay-at-home order, but he’s not slowing down in his efforts to clean up city government. His latest report shows the usual sordid sampling of misconduct, including alleged shakedowns, sexual harassment and police abuse.
3. Starting May 1, Gov. J.B. Pritzker has ordered all people in Illinois “to wear a face-covering or a mask when in a public place where they can’t maintain a six-foot social distance.” Here’s our guide on everything you need to know about masks, like where to get them, how to clean them and more.
4. The parent company of Lysol issued a warning today that its products should not be used internally to treat COVID-19 after President Trump wondered out loud if disinfectants could be injected into people. The White House accused the media of misrepresenting his comment.
5. Officials said another 108 people have died from the coronavirus in Illinois as the state recorded both the highest number of new cases and highest number of test results. With 108 new deaths, the state has now lost 1,795 people to COVID-19.
6. Wendy’s is giving away free “nugs” to “every car that rolls through the drive-thru” today. You don’t need to buy anything else to get your free, four-piece chicken nuggets, and you can choose between regular or spicy.

A bright one

We all could use a laugh, so we enlisted these 10 Chicago comics to give you one

They say tragedy + time = comedy. Well, it hasn’t taken long for some lighter takes to emerge from the coronavirus pandemic.

The radical lifestyle changes brought on by the stay-at-home order have provided ample fodder for humor. And every laugh is a welcome break from the boredom, the fear, or the grief.

We asked 10 Chicago comedians to tell us their best jokes from this bizarre moment of social distancing.

Don’t worry: They’re pretty much safe for work — not that many of us are at a the office, anyway.

Check out our story to see how to you can keep up with these funny Chicagoans.

From the press box

The Bears will finally be on the clock on the second night of the NFL Draft. Jason Lieser, Patrick Finley and Mark Potash suggest who the team should pick with their first selections.

Curie graduate Matt Cole, who played wide receiver at Division II McKendree University, hopes his name gets called.

Here’s how to watch tonight and tomorrow.

Your daily question ☕

What new habits have you developed while staying home?

Email us (please include your first name and where you live) and we might include your answer in the next Afternoon Edition.

Yesterday was Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day, so we asked you how you’re sharing your career with your kid during this unique time. Here’s what one person said…

“She interrupted multiple conference calls today. Does that count? 😁” — Kristine Hulce Romano

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