Decision on fate of Lollapalooza summer music festival could be soon

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said the city should have an update “shortly” on whether Lollapalooza will be canceled this summer.

The mayor again was asked about the popular summer festival during an unrelated news conference on Wednesday and said a decision would be announced shortly, though she didn’t say when.

Earlier in the month, Lightfoot said it’s too soon to talk about July and August events. But she has canceled Gospel Fest and Memorial Day events set for May and June. Lollapalooza is scheduled for July 30-Aug. 2.

The coronavirus pandemic has upended most plans for the foreseeable future — with a statewide stay-at-home order in place through the end of May, bars and restaurants closed to dine-in patrons and a large number of events either canceled or delayed.

Social distancing requirements brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic have led officials across the world to cancel or delay all sorts of public events, from athletics to the arts.

Trying to limit the outbreak, Lightfoot has closed the city’s lakefront, The 606 elevated trail and the Riverwalk after widespread flouting of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s stay-at-home order. The mayor also has set a curfew order on all liquor sales across Chicago, banning sales after 9 p.m.

Lollapalooza could be the latest large-scale event to be canceled.

gpratt@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @royalpratt