CHICAGO — The city shut down two parties in River North this weekend, including one charging $100 at the door, officials said Tuesday.
At 12:20 a.m. Sunday, city inspectors responded to a complaint at 409 W. Huron and found about 66 people on the fourth floor of a commercial space. Party organizers were charging a $100 cover, serving alcohol and and had a DJ, city officials said.
Partygoers were not wearing masks or social distancing, the city said. Photos released by the city, which blurred out faces, showed some people wearing masks.
The establishment was cited for violating coronavirus rules and for unlicensed activity. It was ordered to close by the Department of Buildings for hazardous and dangerous conditions, officials said.
After that bust, investigators acting on a complaint went to 107 W. Hubbard St. and found about 83 people partying at an illegal, unlicensed event in a residential apartment, officials said.
Guests were charged an entrance fee and a DJ was playing music, city officials said. The lease holder was cited by the city for violating COVID-19 regulations and for unlicensed activity, and was also cited by Department of Buildings for hazardous and dangerous conditions.
Over the weekend, the city’s Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection enforcement team conducted 132 investigations and cited eight businesses for violating coronavirus regulations.
The other businesses cited were:
- Wood, 3335-37 N. Halsted St., was cited for allowing indoor dining on Friday
- Firewater Saloon, 6689-95 N. Oliphant St., was cited for allowing indoor dining on Friday
- Ted’s Cocktail Lounge, 5813 W. Madison Ave., was cited for allowing indoor drinking on Friday
- New China Buffet, 3246 W. Madison Ave., was cited for allowing indoor dining on Saturday
- Labriola Café, 535 N. Michigan Ave.), was cited for allowing indoor dining on Saturday
- Creative Kids Zone, 2317 E. 71 St., was cited for holding an indoor event with 30 attendees on Saturday
Business that are cited for violating coronavirus rules typically receive two citations, with a potential fine of up to $10,500, according to the city’s Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection. Businesses that repeatedly violate rules may face addition discipline, including the extended closure of their business.
To date, the city has conducted 7,441 coronavirus investigations and issued citations to 370 businesses.
In November, the city shut down a 300-person party in the basement of a former bank in Wicker Park. Earlier this month, the city shut down a party with more than 140 people at someone’s Wicker Park home.
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