(WBBM NEWSRADIO) – The Chicago City Council will consider a measure to limit late-hour liquor licenses in the 2nd Ward.
Ald. Brian Hopkins, who represents that area, pushed the ban on new 4 a.m. liquor licenses for establishments, as well as a ban on new liquor licenses on Wells Street in Old Town between Schiller and North Avenue.
“If you look at calls for 9-1-1 service, they increase exponentially in the late-hour period when the regular bars close at 2 a.m. and patrons don’t want to go home,” he said.
Put another way, he said, “As we all know, the bad stuff happens after 3 a.m.”
The City Council License and Consumer Protection Committee approved the measure after a restaurant industry representative cautioned against too many regulations.
“More restrictions on where restaurants and bars can open in our city is not what we need. Makes it very hard and time consuming for entrepreneurs to make and open a business,” said Sam Toia, president of the Illinois Restaurant Association.
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