Chicago Restaurants Avoid BYOB Crackdown

New ordinance allows aldermen to revoke BYOB privileges for certain businesses

A city ordinance designed to crack down on businesses that allow customers to bring their own booze won't have any affect on Chicago's restaurants.

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the City Council Licence Committee passed a pared-down ordinance that targets barbershops, pool halls, nail salons and other businesses that allow customers to bring in alcohol.

Aldermen will have the ability to remove BYOB privileges from portions of their wards covering “no less than two contiguous city blocks."

Violators could be fined anywhere from $500-to-$1,000 for each offense, the newspaper reported.

Ald. Deborah Graham (29th) sponsored the ordinance after concerns of some businesses throwing rowdy, alcohol-fueled parties.

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