City officials shut down two River North parties over the weekend for allegedly violating statewide indoor service restrictions, including one party that allegedly charged a $100 entrance fee.
The venues are among 370 businesses cited by the city for violating coronavirus restrictions since the pandemic began in March. The latest batch of cases comes about two months after the city’s ban on indoor dining and service in October.
Officers busted the first illegal party shortly after midnight Sunday at 409 W. Huron St., and found about 66 people not wearing masks or social distancing, city officials said.
The fourth-floor venue was charging $100 at the door, serving alcohol and had a DJ, according to a statement from the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection.
The same night, police were called to an apartment at 107 W. Hubbard St. and found about 83 people gathered inside without masks, officials said. Guests were charged an entrance fee and there was a DJ.
The tenant of the apartment and the owner of the venue were both cited for violating COVID-19 regulations and unlicensed activity, officials said. The apartment party was also cited for having “hazardous and dangerous conditions.”
Since March, the city has investigated 7,441 instances of coronavirus violations, officials said.
Six other businesses cited in the last week include:
• Wood, at 3335-37 N. Halsted St., for allowing indoor dining Dec. 18;
• Firewater Saloon, at 6689-95 N. Oliphant St., for allowing indoor dining Dec. 18;
• Ted’s Cocktail Lounge, at 5813 W. Madison Ave., for allowing indoor dining Dec. 18;
• New China Buffet, at 3246 W. Madison Ave., for allowing indoor dining Dec. 19;
• Labriola Cafe, at 535 Michigan Ave., for allowing indoor dining Dec. 19; and
• Creative Kids Zone, at 2317 E. 71 St., for hosting a gathering with more than 30 guests Dec. 19.
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire & Chicago Sun-Times 2020. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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