Overview

• James Rondeau, president of the Art Institute of Chicago, is under investigation for allegedly stripping on a United Airlines flight from Chicago to Munich on April 18.
• The museum confirmed that Rondeau consumed alcohol and prescription medication before the reported incident, which prompted a police response upon landing in Munich.
• The Art Institute has launched an independent investigation to gather all relevant information and emphasized the seriousness of the situation in a public statement.
• Rondeau, who has led the museum since 2016, has voluntarily stepped away from his role while the investigation is ongoing, with no findings released yet.
• As one of Chicago’s premier cultural institutions, the Art Institute faces scrutiny over leadership accountability and potential reputational impacts.