Chicago Auto Show to return July 15, state’s first big post-pandemic convention

The Chicago Auto Show is back.

The show will run from July 15-19 at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced on Tuesday morning.

With city and statewide COVID-19 metrics continuing to improve, the state as a whole could be moving to the Bridge Phase with increased capacity limits as early as next week, Pritzker said Monday. This would allow for conventions such as the auto show, with the lesser of 1,000 people or 60% capacity.

Tickets will cost $13 for adults, $8 for those 62 and older, and $8 for children 7-12 years old. Admission is free for children 6 and younger with paying adults.

“With strong public health protocols in place, the Chicago Auto Show will be the first large convention to take place in Illinois since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, setting the stage for the safe return of big events in the months to come,” Pritzker said. “The lifesaving power of vaccinations and the hard work by the people of our city and state has led us here. In recent weeks, we have seen our statewide COVID case rates and hospitalizations flatten and begin to fall, demonstrating a surge far short of the one we saw over the fall and winter. To be clear, our fight against the virus isn’t over yet – but things are getting better.”

The Auto Show will have a lower capacity and will include timed entrance windows and staggered entry to prevent congestion, contactless tickets, temperatures will be scanned and a medical questionnaire must be filled out before entry is allowed. Face masks also will be required.

“The trends are encouraging, but we must be cautious as we move forward,” IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said. “As more venues reopen, it is critical that we increase the number of people who are vaccinated. Immunity is how we stop transmission of this virus, but we need greater community immunity and that requires as many of us as possible getting vaccinated as soon as possible.”