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Cheap Chicago hotel rates are luring young partiers, alderman says

hotel room door
Hotel room door illustration
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CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Chicago aldermen voiced concern Tuesday about how well a city agency is cracking down on businesses that violate COVID-related regulations.

Specifically, downtown Ald. Brendan Reilly said some hotels and short-term rental properties are turning a blind eye to mask-less parties at a time when restaurants in his 42nd Ward are playing by the rules and halting indoor dining.


"The hotel rates are cheap, and lots of kids are coming down here and renting out these hotel rooms on the weekends," Reilly said during a budget hearing.

Business Affairs and Consumer Protection Commissioner Rosa Escareño said inspectors will pursue complaints. She noted one-day rentals are prohibited for services like AirBnB.

Her department, however, is leaving several vacant inspector jobs unfilled because of the budget crunch. Aldermen aren't happy about that.