A Chicago-area city will soon change the time its bars and restaurants can sell alcohol.
Cicero, a city of about 84,000, has officially banned the sale of alcohol in bars and restaurants after midnight, according to city officials.
The ordinance was adopted Tuesday morning. It will come into effect immediately for new license applications and on January 1, 2025 for license renewals, authorities said.
Previously, bars and restaurants in Cicero could serve alcohol until 2 or 3 a.m., depending on the day of the week. The new ordinance would limit alcohol sales every day until midnight.
The ordinance affects more than 100 locations, including about 25 restaurants, 30 bars and 35 takeout establishments, according to City of Cicero spokesman Ray Hanania.
“Unfortunately, many of these establishments have problems with patrons drinking too much and getting into loud fights. Many of these establishments are in residential areas,” Hanania said. “It’s not uncommon for people who have been drinking outside to shoot guns, we had something like that about a week ago. They fired 10 shots, the police are overwhelmed with this problem.”
Not everyone agrees.
Some business owners say the change could result in significant revenue losses. According to Hanania, City President Larry Dominick plans to hold a meeting with local bar owners to discuss their concerns and solutions.
About eight miles away in Chicago, a standard drinking or tavern license is valid at 2 a.m. Monday through Saturday and 3 a.m. Sunday. Some establishments hold a late-night liquor license, which allows them to stay open and sell alcohol until 4 a.m. Monday through Saturday and until 5 a.m. Sunday, depending on the city.
NBC Chicago
