Your Daily Guide

The Fight Over Nightlife in Chicago

A man was shot and killed on Lincoln and Belden around 11:40 p.m. Saturday, after a fight spilled out of The Dime. Just weeks earlier, a woman was critically wounded around 4 a.m. after leaving the same bar.

The incidents have reignited debate over Chicago nightlife — specifically late-night establishments in Lincoln Park. Yesterday, The Dime was shut down by Chicago police.

What happened: In June, a 39-year-old woman was shot and injured after leaving The Dime, which closed at 3 a.m. In response, Ald. Tommy Knudsen discussed limiting late-night licenses and enforcing stricter parking on Belden Avenue.

• The conversation continues: Following this weekend’s homicide, Knudsen reiterated his “aggressive push for further restrictions on late-night bars on this stretch of Lincoln Avenue.”
• What’s unclear: The Dime, for example, operates under a typical Chicago liquor license — does that mean all bars qualify as “late-night”?

Chicago’s liquor license laws: A typical Chicago bar can sell liquor till 2 a.m. — and 3 a.m. on Saturday nights (aka Sunday mornings). Then there are rarer 4 a.m. bars, which stay open till 5 a.m. on Saturday nights. These have “Late Hour” liquor licenses.

• Night owls know: Late-hour bars are on the decline in Chicago. There are just over 100 left, and most are on the North Side.
• BYOB? Not Always: In 2021, Chicago set a midnight curfew on buying liquor from stores. Then-Mayor Lori Lightfoot said it would improve the “quality of life.”

A longtime debate: Last year, a shooting outside Artis Restaurant and Lounge in River North killed four and injured 14. Previously, Ald. Brendan Reilly (42nd) helped enact a moratorium on late-hour liquor licenses in the area to prevent new nightclubs, but Artis was BYOB. It closed soon after, following pressure from Reilly.

• Other curfew pushes: Reilly, along with Ald. Brian Hopkins (2nd) continue pushing for tighter teen curfews. Their wards include Gold Coast and River North; Hopkins’ includes Lincoln Park as well.

Night Mayor? Perhaps day politicians are not equipped to handle these things. Last year, the city released a 20-year plan full of ideas for local improvements. One of them is establishing an Office of Nighttime Engagement — potentially led by a “night mayor.”

• Yup: Philly has one!
• Right now: Portland is also considering it.

Personally: I’ll be frequenting late-hour bars till an alder physically stops me or my liver gives out — whichever comes first.

Belugas en Route to Shedd

Four beluga whales, rescued from a shuttered marine park in Niagara Falls, have arrived at the Shedd Aquarium. Footage from the transportation is a sight to behold. The belugas are not yet viewable to the public, but stay tuned! [Sun-Times]

Are Our Parking Meters Connected to ICE?

A plan to sell Chicago’s 36,000 parking meters remains stalled — multiple alders are critical of the potential buyer's financial connections to ICE. We discuss the latest on today’s podcast, plus a milestone for the Chicago Therapy Collective and this weekend’s packed calendar. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]

A ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ For Landlords?

A group of alders who oppose Mayor Brandon Johnson’s Protecting Renters Ordinance (aka the tenant Bill of Rights) revealed the Fair and Accountable Illinois Rental Ordinance, or FAIR, which would reduce some fees for landlords. Unlike Johnson’s ordinance, it would not include requiring a just cause for eviction or relocation assistance. [Axios]

• One critic: “F-A-I-R is the Chicago landlord’s big, beautiful bill.” [Block Club]

Heat Deaths on Rise in Chicago

Cook County medical examiners reported six heat-related deaths so far in July. That's the most fatalities in a single month since 2015. Four of the recent deaths were people younger than 60. [WBEZ]

CPD Can Investigate Federal Agents Over Immigration Enforcement Actions

The Chicago Police Department updated a policy to allow officers to investigate federal agents for their actions during immigration enforcement raids. Previously, Mayor Brandon Johnson said existing policy allowed such investigations, but none took place in the six months since Johnson’s “ICE on Notice” executive order. [WTTW]

• Hmmm: Did that executive order actually do anything? [City Cast Chicago 🎧]
• Recently: Immigrants skipped a mutual aid event over ICE fears. [Block Club]