A party at 409 W. Huron St. was one of two large parties shut down, according to city officials. (Courtesy of City of Chicago)
City officials shut down two large parties early Sunday on the Near North Side for violating rules designed to slow the spread of the coronavirus, Chicago officials said Tuesday.
Nearly a half-dozen large parties have been shut down by city officials in three weeks, even as Chicago remains under a stay-at-home advisory designed to prevent people from contracting COVID-19.
Responding to a complaint, investigators with the city’s Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection discovered 66 people in a fourth-floor commercial space at 409 W. Huron St. just after midnight Sunday. The establishment was charging $100 at the door and serving alcohol, with a DJ providing entertainment.
Attendees were not social distancing or wearing face coverings. The establishment was cited for violating COVID-19 regulations, being an unlicensed operation and shut down because of hazardous and dangerous conditions.
A party at 409 W. Huron St. was one of two large parties shut down, according to city officials. (Courtesy of City of Chicago) Another large party at 107 W. Hubbard St. was shut down, according to city officials. (Courtesy of City of Chicago) Another large party at 107 W. Hubbard St. was shut down, according to city officials. (Courtesy of City of Chicago)
Investigators discovered a separate large party in a residential apartment at 107 W. Hubbard St. Approximately 83 people, who were not maintaining social distancing or wearing face coverings, had paid an entrance fee and were listening to a DJ, officials said. The party was shut down, and the person renting the apartment was cited, officials said.
In all, city inspectors conducted 132 investigations from Thursday through Sunday and issued citations to six businesses for violating COVID-19 regulations, officials said. They are:
—Wood, 3335-37 N. Halsted St., for allowing indoor dining
—Firewater Saloon, 6689-95 N. Oliphant St., for allowing indoor dining
—Ted’s Cocktail Lounge, 5813 W. Madison Ave., for allowing indoor drinking
—New China Buffet, 3246 W. Addison St., for allowing indoor dining
—Labriola Café, 535 N. Michigan Ave., for allowing indoor dining
—Creative Kids Zone, 2317 E. 71 St., for holding an indoor event with 30 attendees.
Since March, the city has cited 370 businesses for violating COVID-19 regulations.
Contact Heather Cherone: @HeatherCherone | (773) 569-1863 | [email protected]
Note: An earlier version of this story listed the incorrect address for New China Buffet, as provided by the city of Chicago. The story has been updated.
