Beale To Distribute Free Masks At Pullman Community Center Sunday

CHICAGO — Ald. Anthony Beale plans to distribute free face masks the mayor didn't want to buy from her former election rival Willie Wilson to far South Side residents on Sunday.

On Friday, Beale, one of Mayor Lori Lightfoot's chief City Council critics, lead a coalition of aldermen in a call for the mayor to allow them to spend $1.2 million of taxpayer cash earmarked for their wards to distribute 2 million surgical masks to Chicagoans who need them in all 50 wards.

“The health and well-being of our residents are our top priority, and in the absence of a strong federal role we need to mobilize available City resources to provide protection and assistance to all Chicagoans who need it,” Ald. Anthony Beale (9th) said.

“With a global shortage and competition for equipment, it’s nearly impossible for residents to acquire masks, so we need to find them, even if it means deviating from our usual procurement process to find the supplies that protect our population."

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Lightfoot and Wilson made headlines last week over the city's refusal to purchase masks. Lightfoot said Wilson demanded cash for the masks. Wilson denied the accusation.

Beale and Alds. Leslie Hairston (5th), Michael Scott Jr. (24th), Brian Hopkins (2nd) and Ray Lopez (15th) teamed with Wilson to provide the 3-ply masks in advance of new stay-at-home order restrictions that require people to wear face coverings in public places starting May 1.

On Sunday, Beale is expected to be joined by Wilson at the community center, 10355 S. Woodlawn Ave from noon to 3 p.m.