Chicagoans Out Enjoying Warm December Weather

CHICAGO (CBS) -- The unusually warm December weather has many Chicagoans out and about and less bundled-up than normal.

CBS 2's Dana Kozlov reports the guys at one Christmas tree say the warm month has been good for business, and they're not alone.

No gloves, no problem for Ian Walsh and his Chicago traffic jam bandmates. This almost balmy holiday season has made their street corner jams a lot more bearable.

"When it gets really cold, you think you can play all this stuff, you think you can play a 16 note line real fast, but you just can't execute it," Walsh said. "Your hands can't move that fast at cold temperatures. So this had been great."

And more lucrative. Warmer than normal December weather means more money from more people out and about. Many are eating outside. Warming huts are empty.

Dozens even waited two hours for a chance to ice skate outdoors at Millennium Park.

It's not just the lack of natural ice that's a bit unusual. There's also no snow for Santa's sleigh.

Santa undoubtedly will think of something. Meantime, many will enjoy this freeze-free holiday.

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