Though the city of Chicago is keeping the reins tight for a few more days, people came out across the suburbs on Friday to enjoy some of the things they’ve had to do without for months with the first loosening of Illinois’ stay-at-home pandemic restrictions.
Things like eating out. And shopping. And getting their hair done.
There are still restrictions, under Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s plan, like limits on public gatherings to no more than 10 people, face coverings required and other strict rules.
But the initial step taken toward restoring life as we not so long ago knew it prompted plenty of smiles — if only you could see them behind all of those masks.
“It’s like the door has cracked open a bit,” John Delano, 72, said as he enjoyed a glass of iced tea at an outdoor table at Prairie Joe’s diner on Central Street in Evanston.
Here are some glimpses, shot by Sun-Times photographers, of what things looked like.