CHICAGO, Ill.- City of Chicago personnel deactivated a couple of crowded clandestine parties at venues located in downtown Chicago.
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Municipal inspectors discovered 66 people on the fourth floor of 409 West Huron Street, in total violation of mitigation measures for the pandemic.
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Another complaint surprised 83 attendees at a second illegal party at 107 West Hubbard Street, also without face masks or social distancing.
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Both sites were fined and closed.
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The Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) released an update on its latest efforts to enforce COVID-19 regulations, including a state ban on eating indoors and a ban on private events.
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The BACP weekend compliance team conducted 132 investigations from December 17-20 and issued citations to eight establishments for violating COVID-19 regulations.
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During this weekend’s investigations, BACP shut down two illegal parties with more than 50 guests early Sunday morning, both in the Near North Side community area.
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First, BACP responded to a complaint at 409 W. Huron St at 12:20 am as part of the Task Force with Police, Fire, and the Department of Buildings and discovered approximately 66 people in a commercial space on the fourth floor. The establishment charged $ 100 at the door and served alcohol, with a DJ providing entertainment. Clients were not socially distancing themselves or covering their faces. The facility was cited for violating COVID-19 regulations and unlicensed activity, and the Department of Buildings ordered the facility closed for dangerous and dangerous conditions.
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Following this investigation, BACP along with the Task Force responded to an additional complaint at 107 W Hubbard St. Investigators discovered an unlicensed and illegal event in a residential apartment, with approximately 83 people and no social distancing or face masks. Guests were charged an entrance fee and a DJ was present to provide entertainment. The tenant was cited by BACP for violating COVID-19 regulations and for unlicensed activity, and was also cited by the Department of Buildings for dangerous and hazardous conditions.
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• In addition to the two major parties described above, the following companies were cited for violating COVID-19 regulations between December 17-20:
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– Wood (3335-37 N Halsted St) – Allow indoor dining on 12/18
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– Firewater Saloon (6689-95 N Oliphant St) – Allowing inside dining on 12/18
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– Ted’s Cocktail Lounge (5813 W Madison Ave): Indoor drinking allowed on 12/18
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– New China Buffet (3246 W Madison Ave) – Allowing inside dining on 12/19
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– Labriola Café (535 N Michigan Ave) – Allowing inside dining on 12/19
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– Creative Kids Zone (2317 E 71 St) – Holding an indoor event with 30 attendees on 12/19
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• Businesses that are cited for violating COVID-19 regulations generally receive two citations, with a potential fine of up to $ 10,500. Businesses that repeatedly violate regulations may face additional disciplinary action, including prolonged closure of their business.
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To date, BACP has conducted 7,441 COVID-19 investigations and issued subpoenas to 370 companies.
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