City officials shut down a 300-person party in Wicker Park early Sunday for violating rules designed to slow the spread of the coronavirus, Chicago officials said Monday.
After investigators with the city’s Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection responded to a call about a large party in the basement of 1612 W. Division Ave. early Sunday morning, they found a party with approximately 300 attendees, no social distancing and no face coverings.
“While the vast majority of Chicago’s businesses are doing the right thing and following the COVID-19 regulations to keep Chicagoans and their employees safe, it is incredibly disheartening to see some establishments continue to egregiously and blatantly disregard the guidelines and put our entire community at risk,” said Commissioner Rosa Escareno. “Actions like this are a slap in the face to the thousands of businesses and millions of Chicagoans that are making sacrifices every day to keep our city safe, and we will continue cracking down on this inexcusable activity.”
City officials hit The Vault/All Access, which hosted the party, with nine citations and five cease-and-desist orders for throwing a dangerous and unlicensed commercial party. The party took place in a location that had no smoke alarms, no carbon monoxide detectors and no fire extinguishers — and sparklers and smoking were allowed indoors, officials said.
Representatives of the party host could not be reached Monday by WTTW News.
In all, city inspectors conducted 93 investigations from Friday through Sunday, officials said.
Since Oct. 30, when Gov. J.B. Pritzker suspended indoor dining and drinking in Chicago amid a sustained surge of the coronavirus, city inspectors conducted 877 investigations and issued 20 citations and 54 notices to correct to bars, restaurants and other businesses for violating those rules.
Since the restrictions took effect, the city has issued one-day closure orders to nine businesses, four of which were also issued long-term closure orders for “egregiously violating the COVID-19 regulations,” officials said.
Officials said those businesses are:
—Chicago Sports Complex, 2600 W. 35th St., which hosted a 600-person party earlier this month and remains closed.
—Wildberry Pancake, 196 E. Pearson St., which repeatedly allowed indoor dining despite multiple warnings and remains closed.
—The Ballroom, 6351-59 S. Cottage Grove Ave., which hosted a party with more than 200 attendees and remains closed.
—Fat Fish Bar & Grill, 234-236 W 31st St., which repeatedly violated social distancing rules and face coverings requirements on its outdoor patio and remains closed.
—Black Cat Lounge, 1640 W. 115th St., which allowed patrons to drink indoors without requiring face coverings or social distancing.
—The Delta, 1745 W. North Ave., which violated social distancing and face coverings requirements on its outdoor patio.
—Mariscos La Diabla, 4222-24 W. 63rd St., which allowed patrons to eat indoors without face coverings or social distancing.
—Effe Inc., 4216 W. 63rd St., which allowed patrons to eat indoors without face coverings or social distancing.
—Linda’s Place, 1044 W. 51st St., which allowed patrons to eat indoors without face coverings or social distancing.
An average of 1,803 Chicagoans have been diagnosed each day with the coronavirus during the past week, a 15% decrease from the previous week, according to Chicago Department of Public Health data. The city’s average test positivity rate is 11.7%, according to the data.
Contact Heather Cherone: @HeatherCherone | (773) 569-1863 | [email protected]