Society

DRONE VIDEO: Chicago landmarks deserted amid COVID-19 outbreak

By Zach Ben-Amots
Monday, April 6, 2020
ABC 7 Drone Cam captures the effects the stay-at-home order has had on the streets of and landmarks of Chicago.
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Social distancing during COVID-19 is creating a remarkable scene in downtown Chicago, where some of the most popular and crowded spaces are all but deserted.

DRONE VIDEO: Downtown Chicago deserted amid COVID-19 outbreak


ABC7 gathered drone video and photos at some of the spots that are usually filled with tourists and commuters to find them all eerily empty.
RELATED: Satellite photos show empty landmarks around globe due to COVID-19 pandemic


Only a few joggers and police officers are at popular tourist destinations like the Bean, Millennium and Grant Parks, the lakefront, Museum Campus, and the Chicago Theater.

PHOTOS: Chicago landmarks deserted amid coronavirus pandemic

Evanston, Illinois. The Lake Michigan beachfront is empty during the shelter in place order.none
Evanston, Illinois. Only a handful of residents enjoyed the cleared lakefront walkways on the edge of north suburban Evanston.none
Downtown Evanston.none
Evanston, Illinois. A sign hangs outside of Patisserie Coralie in downtown Evanston that reads: "Don't be a fool. Buy pastries, not T.P."none
Evanston, Illinois. Northwestern University's campus has been empty since sending students home two weeks ago. The university has reported 6 cases of COVID-19 on campus.none
Naperville, Illinois. Home-made signs were posted throughout Naperville that read "STAY HOME."none
Naperville, Illinois. Nichols Library in downtown Naperville placed a "Temporarily closed" sign outside of their doors, which faced an empty parking lot.none
Naperville, Illinois.none
Naperville, Illinois. Anderson's Bookshop is part of a family owned business that's been in Naperville for over a century. They are currently only open for online service.none
Naperville, Illinois. Anderson's Bookshop is part of a family owned business that's been in Naperville for over a century. They are currently only open for online service.none
Wheaton, Illinois.none
Wheaton, Illinois. Adams Park in downtown Wheaton is deserted.none
Wheaton, Illinois. The Little Popcorn Store, renowned for its tight corridors and extended history, is temporarily closed.none
Elmhurst, Illinois. Metra commuter rail services have reported a 90 percent drop in ridership.none
Elmhurst, Illinois. Some families were out for walks downtown, maintaining social distance from everyone but each other.none
Elmhurst, Illinois.none
Elmhurst, Illinois.none
Joliet, Illinois. The imposing post office building in downtown Joliet is empty.none
Joliet, Illinois. Bicentennial Park sits across the river from downtown Joliet, and it is completely empty.none
Joliet, Illinois. The massive Harrah's Joliet hotel and casino is temporarily closed.none


RELATED: Coronavirus: What to know about COVID-19 in Illinois
Meanwhile, some of the highest traffic CTA stations are also nearly empty, as more and more workers in the Loop telecommute and work from home.

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker issued a "stay-at-home" order for all Illinois residents Friday afternoon in an attempt to limit the spread of COVID-19 in the state.

WATCH: Drone video shows empty streets in Libertyville

Drone video: Libertyville deserted amid COVID-19 pandemic


RELATED: Coronavirus cases: Map of COVID-19 cases, deaths in the US, world


The Illinois Department of Public Health has created a hotline at 1-800-889-3931. More information can be found at the IDPH website and the Chicago Department of Public Health website.
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