Afternoon Edition: June 25, 2020

Good afternoon. Here’s the latest news you need to know in Chicago. It’s about a 5-minute read that will brief you on today’s biggest stories.

This afternoon will be sunny with a high near 84 degrees. Tonight’s low will be around 67 degrees. Tomorrow will be partly sunny with a high near 91 degrees and a 30% chance of thunderstorms between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. Winds could gust as high as 30mph.

Top story

Chicago moves into Phase 4 of reopening tomorrow — Here’s what that means

Public pools will remain closed unless there is a “heat emergency,” but beaches just might open some time next month with social distancing.

Lincoln Park Zoo will remain free, but with reservations required.

Gyms will be open, but you’ll need to work out with a face mask. Equipment will either be six feet apart — or, in smaller facilities, separated by clear plastic screens.

That’s just a snapshot of what will — and won’t — happen starting tomorrow, as Chicago and the rest of Illinois move into Phase 4 of their respective reopening plans.

Not everything will be identical in terms of rules for the city and the rest of the state, however. Here’s a quick look at what activities are allowed to resume in Phase 4, with differences for Chicago noted where applicable:

— Gatherings of up to 50 people, including weddings, funerals, and business conferences.

— Recreation at 50% capacity or for up to 50 people, including bowling alleys, skating rinks and clubhouses.

— Indoor dining for groups of 10 or fewer, with spaced tables and at 25% capacity for standing areas.

— Museums at 25% capacity, with tours capped at 50 people and no interactive exhibits.

— Zoos at 25% capacity, with tours capped at 50 people and no interactive/indoor exhibits.

— Movie theaters and performing arts centers at 25% capacity in Chicago, 50% elsewhere; both with a maximum of 50 people.

— Outdoor spectator sports at 20% capacity statewide; not yet approved in Chicago.

— Film production at 50% capacity including up to 50 people.

— Youth sports at 50% facility capacity and 20% seating capacity.

— Health and fitness centers at 25% capacity in Chicago, 50% elsewhere; classes can include up to 50 people.

— Day camps at 50% facility capacity with groups capped at 15.

Read the full story here for more information.

More news you need

1. Less than a day after saying they would no longer cooperate with Cook County prosecutors, the Osundairo brothers have resumed their cooperation in the Jussie Smollett case. Their attorney said the change came after an “intervention” by special prosecutor Dan Webb.
2. Mayor Lightfoot unveiled a plan this afternoon to provide free high-speed internet access to roughly 100,000 CPS students over the next four years. The $50 million program will be bankrolled, in part, by Illinois billionaire Ken Griffin.
3. U.S. officials believe as many as 20 million Americans have contracted the coronavirus, suggesting millions had the virus and never knew it. Read the full national report from the Associated Press here.
4. A South Loop youth activism group that says it was illegally raided by CPD during recent protests has filed a federal lawsuit claiming the search was prompted by racism. Leaders of the group say they were only providing a safe haven for protestors.
5. The family of 3-year-old Mekhi James, who was shot and killed Saturday, are offering a $13,000 reward for information leading to his killer. Relatives of James announced the reward outside their family home Wednesday.
6. Lane Tech, one of Chicago’s largest high schools, may soon change its “Indians” team name, mascot and logo. Principal Brian Tennison emailed parents and students this week to inform them the school was working with CPS to consider a new name.

A bright one

Looking for something silly to take your mind off things this weekend?

Sun-Times critic Richard Roeper says the new Will Ferrell and Rachel McAdams comedy “Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga,“ out tomorrow on Netflix, succeeds at exactly what it’s trying to be: “an incredibly goofy broad satire filled with wonderfully awful pop songs and infectiously over-the-top, all-in performances.”

Provided by Netflix

“Director David Dobkin (‘Wedding Crashers,’ ‘The Change-Up,’ ‘Fred Claus’) and screenwriters Ferrell and Andrew Steele have done for televised song competitions what ‘Blades of Glory’ did for ice skating, i.e., an affectionate lampoon,” Roeper writes in a three-star review.

The film boasts “lavish and often hilarious production numbers,” and “as was the case with Christopher Guest spoofs such as ‘For Your Consideration’ and ‘Best in Show,’ we somehow find ourselves genuinely rooting for the ridiculous leads here even as we cringe at their antics.”

From the press box

Now that Major League Baseball and the players have agreed to terms for an abbreviated 2020 season, the Cubs are trying to work with city officials to find a way for a limited number of fans to attend games at Wrigley Field.

“There was always a path to bring fans back into Wrigley, obviously a smaller group than would normally attend games,” team president Crane Kenney said today on 670 The Score. “We do see that happening this year.”

Your daily question ☕

If the Cubs and/or White Sox get approval to let a limited number of fans attend games this year, are you interested in going? Tell us why, or why not.

Reply to this email (please include your first name and where you live) and we might include your answer in the next Afternoon Edition.

Yesterday, we asked you how your pets have helped keep your mood up during the coronavirus pandemic. Here’s what some of you said…

“My dog has given me purpose by getting up and out of the house a couple of times a day for walks. I’m on month three of furlough with potentially two more to go. Having him to occupy my time has been a blessing.” — Julia Doyle

“I rescued a dog who rescued me. She’s my buddy now, my favorite company!” — Adam Lazzara

“My cat is always a mood booster, but his wild and ecstatic joy at having people home has been really special.” — Caitlin Ah

Thanks for reading the Chicago Afternoon Edition.Got a story you think we missed? Email us here.