I'm not sure about this Dee, but the only abutilon - Flowering Maple - that I've had, had to be kept in temps above about 60 degrees year round, which means here in my zone 7a it is a potted plant that winters inside. They are evergreen, but inside only for me. It's a great little shrubby plant and mine was trimmed into a standard. However, I lost it one winter when we had an ice storm and had no electricity for a week. There was no way to keep it warm enough.
Chicago is a colder zone than mine, but if you can keep it inside for winter, keep it slightly watered and in a south facing window, it should be just fine.
Almost forgot to welcome you to ATP, look around, I know you'll enjoy it!
