Cinemas Navigate Reopening

WDCB’s Gary Zidek talks to Classic Cinemas CEO Chris Johnson and Siskel Film Center Executive Director Jean de St. Aubin about their approaches as Illinois enters phase-4 of the state’s gradual reopening plan. Both face similar challenges, but are taking different paths moving forward.

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WDCB's Gary Zidek talks to two Chicago-area movie theater executives about their approaches to reopening in Illinois' Phase-4.

All four regions of Illinois officially entered phase-4 of the state’s gradual re-opening plan this past Friday. That means many restrictions are easing, restaurants can resume indoor dining with special rules in place and museums can open again with specific capacity requirements. Phase- 4 also means Illinois movie theaters can open their doors again for the first time since mid-March. A handful of theaters opened on June 26, others are waiting to see how certain factors play out in the coming weeks and months. WDCB’s Gary Zidek recently caught up with two local executives who lead theater organizations on different ends of the cinema spectrum. The Gene Siskel Film Center, which focuses on independent, world and cutting-edge releases, is remaining closed for now. But Classic Cinemas, which operates 15 theaters in northern Illinois and Wisconsin, began welcoming movie-goers to most of its locations on June 26. The realities of the current situation have been extremely challenging for both organizations.

The front of the York Theater in downtown Elmhurst

“Let’s go back to the Tivoli, which is a thousand-seat theater, if I’m skipping every other row, and then I’m putting three seats between (an audience member) and the person next to them, it would challenging for me to get 200 people in that room or 20% (of the auditorium’s capacity). But they (would all be) watching quietly, facing forward, and watching the show, I’m not sure how that isn’t safe.” - Classic Cinemas CEO Chris Johnson talking about his frustrations with Illinois’ current phase-4 rules for movie theater limits.

Front of the Gene Siskel Film Center on State Street in Chicago

"There are three key factors. One, we're not sure people are ready to come back to be in enclosed spaces with other people, even with all the safety precautions. Two, at 25% capacity, with $12 movie price and $6 for members, its just no feasible, financially we can't open at that point. And lastly, and actually most importantly, is, we're still concerned about our audience and our staff."  - Siskel Center Executive Director Jean de St. Aubin talking about the factors she and her team are considering when deciding when and how to reopen the Center’s physical space to the public.

You keep see what’s on tap with the Siskel Center’s FILM CENTER FROM YOU SOFA series by clicking here.

And you can see what’s playing at Classic Cinemas’ locations here.