Chicago’s Halloween 2020 doesn’t look like much of a treat

Like so many other things during the coronavirus pandemic, Chicago’s Halloween celebration will not be the same.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot made that clear on Wednesday.

The mayor didn’t come right out and say she’s planning to ban the treasured tradition of door-to-door trick-or-treating by costumed kids under the watchful eye of their parents. The last thing she wants to do is sound like the Grinch who stole Christmas.

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But she sure hinted at it.

“Obviously, it is a very different time. And I don’t expect to see mass crowds trick-or-treating like we have in years past,” the mayor said.

“It’s not safe for the children. It’s not safe for the adults.”

Lightfoot says she is working on plans to recognize and celebrate Halloween, “which I know is an important moment for many, including the kids in my neighborhood” of Logan Square.

But, she said: “We’re gonna do it in a way that’s consistent with the public health guidance.”

The mayor was reminded Los Angeles County has already banned trick-or-treating this Halloween.

Lightfoot said she, too, has been “looking ahead at Halloween for quite some time.” But, she said she is not yet prepared to “roll out what the ultimate decision” and rules of engagement will be. She’s “still engaging stakeholders.”