A large party billed as “Wicker Loft,” was shut down early Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, city officials said. (Courtesy City of Chicago) A large party billed as “Wicker Loft,” was shut down early Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, city officials said. (Courtesy City of Chicago) A large party billed as “Wicker Loft,” was shut down early Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, city officials said. (Courtesy City of Chicago) A large party billed as “Wicker Loft,” was shut down early Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, city officials said. (Courtesy City of Chicago) A large party billed as “Wicker Loft,” was shut down early Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, city officials said. (Courtesy City of Chicago) A large party billed as “Wicker Loft,” was shut down early Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, city officials said. (Courtesy City of Chicago) A large party billed as “Wicker Loft,” was shut down early Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, city officials said. (Courtesy City of Chicago)
City officials shut down a 142-person party in Wicker Park early Saturday for violating rules designed to slow the spread of the coronavirus, Chicago officials said Tuesday.
Officials have now shut down two massive parties in Wicker Park in as many weeks, despite an increase in the number of confirmed and probable coronavirus cases in Chicago after the Thanksgiving holiday.
After investigators with the city’s Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection responded to a call about a large party at 1257 N. Milwaukee Ave. early Saturday morning, they found a line of people and a bouncer outside of an event billed as the “Wicker Loft,” officials said in a statement.
Inside, investigators found a party with approximately 142 attendees, no social distancing and no face coverings, officials said.
City officials hit those who hosted the party with multiple citations for egregiously violating COVID-19 regulations as well as cease and desist orders for operating an illegal, unlicensed club. City building inspectors also shut down the second floor of the building for numerous code violations, including an obstructed rear exit and no smoke detectors.
Representatives of the party host could not be reached Tuesday by WTTW News.
In all, city inspectors conducted 152 investigations from Thursday through Sunday and issued citations to seven establishments for violating COVID-19 regulations.
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.
The six businesses cited for violating COVID-19 regulations between Thursday and Sunday are:
- Zapotlan Bar, 3923-25 S. Kedzie Ave., for allowing indoor alcohol consumption
- River North Crossfit, 330 W. Ontario Ave. for conducting indoor fitness classes and patrons not wearing masks
- Randy’s Lounge, 7512 S. Cottage Grove Ave., for holding an indoor event with 42 attendees eating and drinking without social distancing or face coverings
- Volare, 201-05 E. Grand Ave., for allowing indoor dining
- Firewater Saloon, 6689-95 N. Oliphant Ave. for allowing indoor dining
- Flava Luxx, 2912 W. Madison Ave., for holding an indoor event with 22 attendees eating and drinking without social distancing or face coverings
Since March, the city has cited 344 businesses for violating COVID-19 regulations.
Contact Heather Cherone: @HeatherCherone | (773) 569-1863 | [email protected]
