CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Businessman and philanthropist Willie Wilson said he's planning to give away millions of face masks outside three churches this weekend after Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot found problems with his original strategy.
Wilson said he wanted to give out five million face masks outside the United Center to help people during the coronavirus pandemic. He said he was disappointed when Lightfoot asked him about security and whether he had permission to use the site.
United Center called him to say he could not use the stadium parking lot, he said, so Wilson had to figure out another plan. Now, Wilson is planning on three different church parking lots this Saturday.
Lightfoot said her concern was about how the masks would be given out. It would have to be in an orderly fashion, she said, with no crowding.
"God Bless Willie Wilson and his generous heart," she said.
Wilson said he envisioned people staying in their cars driving up to lines of volunteers. He said his initiative is meant to benefit people who would otherwise have a problem conforming to Gov. Pritzker's order to wear a mask or face covering in public.
Face coverings are believed to help stem the spread of the novel coronavirus.
The masks will be given away Saturday, according to Wilson, who announced this schedule on social media:
-8 a.m. to noon — Mt. Vernon Baptist Church parking lot, 2622 W. Jackson.
-9 a.m. to noon — Apostolic Church of God parking lot, 6320 S. Dorchester.
-1 p.m. to 6 p.m. — House of Hope parking lot, 752 E. 114th St.
Media Advisory Update: Dr. Willie Wilson Donates Five Million Face Masks, the Single Largest Donation of Face Masks to the Citizens of Illinois this Saturday, to Help Stop the Spread of COVID-19 pic.twitter.com/f16PEuZhoQ
— Dr. Willie Wilson (@DrWillieWilson) May 6, 2020
