
Scores of Chicago-area small businesses shut their doors for the day Monday and dozens gathered for a rally in Bridgeview to show solidarity with Gaza and call for an immediate cease-fire in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
At least 200 businesses mainly in the south suburbs closed, including cafes, restaurants, bakeries, grocery shops, gas stations, furniture stores and auto repair shops, according to a list the Chicago Coalition for Justice in Palestine shared with the Sun-Times. At least eight private schools did not hold classes on Monday.