Movie Theaters Juggling Multiple Factors As They Prepare to Re-Open
WDCB’s Gary Zidek talks to Chris Johnson, president of the Illinois chapter of the National Theater Owners Association and CEO of Classic Cinemas, about the impact COVID-19 has had on movie theaters and when they might be able to open up again.
“It will be challenging. I’m not going to lie to you, it’s been 40 years, and I started before video tape rentals, that was threatening and there’s been quite of few things, but this is definitely the toughest one yet.” - Chris Johnson, CEO of Classic Cinemas, talking about the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on movie theaters.
The York Theatre in downtown Elmhurst
Restaurants, non-essential retailers and salons were among the things that re-opened with some restrictions last month when Illinois entered phase three of the state’s gradual re-opening plan. One place Illinois residents haven’t been allowed to go to is their local movie theater. That’s because under the mandates outlined in the state’s RESTORE ILLINOIS plan, movie theaters aren’t allowed to re-open until Phase 4 … and the earliest the state can enter that stage is June 26. And if any of Illinois’ four regions do make it to Phase 4, all gatherings will be limited to 50 people.
An alliance of Illinois theater operators is urging the state to amend the planned movie theater rules from a hard cap on audience members to a system that adjusts to a theater’s overall capacity. Chris Johnson is the president of the Illinois chapter of the National Association of Theater Owners (and CEO of Classic Cinemas). He’s hoping for some positive news almost three months after all Illinois theaters were forced to shut down in mid-March.
The Glen Art in downtown Glen Ellyn
