CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Walgreens announced Wednesday it is spending $35 million to reopen Chicago stores hit by looting in recent months.
The company also announced it will expand health services in Chatham under a pilot program Mayor Lori Lightfoot wants to see expanded to the South and West sides.
Walgreens said 70 of its 118 city locations suffered damage in recent months amid unrest connected to the fatal police shooting of George Floyd in Minneapolis, as well as a shooting incident in Chicago's Englewood neighborhood.
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According to a Walgreens spokeswoman, all but six of the stores have reopened and the remaining will be completed “as quickly as possible."
She added that another store, located at 4000 W. 59th St., must be completely rebuilt, the Sun-Times reported. The store was gutted by a suspected arson fire following a looting incident.
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Walgreens also said two locations, located at 11 E. 75th St. and 1213 W. 79th St., are operating as mobile pharmacies while the sites are being rebuilt; and one outlet, located at 10300 S. Michigan Ave., is operating only as a drive-through.
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Walgreens announced it will roll out a pilot program in Chatham called Health Equity. The program will enlist black churches and other organizations in a partnership for more health screenings, consultations regarding asthma and diabetes, and free flu shots.
The mayor has called for similar programs to target health disparities on the West Side. According to the Sun-Times, Walgreens said it would work with the city and others to expand Health Equity.
“Improving the health and well-being of the communities we serve guides everything we do, and we know there is great need, as well as opportunity, to assist the patients we serve on their journey to better health,” said John Standley, Walgreens president. “By learning more about the particular health needs in these areas and tailoring our pharmacy services to help address them, we can continue to make an impact as part of our commitment to Chicago, and with pharmacists our customers know and trust.”
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The Walgreens stores yet to reopen are located at:
833 W. 115th St.
200 W. Adams St.
79 W. Monroe St.
1533 E. 67th St.
5036 S. Cottage Grove Ave.
1320 E. 47th St.
Meanwhile, CVS Pharmacy reported that all 31 of its Chicago stores that suffered damage during the looting have been repaired and reopened.