ADDRESSING QUALITY OF LIFE ISSUES

July 20, 1989

Chicago Tribune

DALEY DELAYS ACTION ON LIQUOR SALE CHANGES

James Strong.

Mayor Richard Daley scuttled several measures Wednesday to crack down on liquor sales in Chicago but promised to draft a comprehensive ordinance to meet demands for stricter controls over taverns and liquor stores.

Ordinances banning an increase in liquor licenses in two wards along with measures forcing tavern owners to get approval of neighbors for outdoor beergardens were shelved at the insistence of the mayor in exchange for a broadrevision of city liquor codes.

``People are concerned with the problems not only inside but outsidetaverns, so we are going to look at the entire license procedures, assure full disclosure, make sure all taxes involved are paid and eliminate the badtaverns,`` Daley told reporters before leaving for Washington, D.C.

Ald. Jesse Evans (21st) and Ald. Ed Smith (28th) were angered by Daley`s decision that pigeon-holed their proposals to ban any increase in liquor licenses in their wards. The ordinances had been approved by a unanimous vote in the Committee on Licenses.

Also shelved was an ordinance that would force owners of taverns to garner support of all neighbors within 100 feet of a proposed conversion of tavern back yards into beer gardens.

The liquor code changes were stalled at Daley`s request by Ald. Edward Burke (14th), Finance Committee chairman.

The council approved an ordinance by a 31-3 vote restricting vendors within 1,000 feet of Wrigley Field. Under the measure sponsored by Ald. Helen Shiller (46th) vendors will be barred from blocking public ways and must remain mobile. Included in the ordinance was a lifting of an outdated city code banning peddling on Sundays.

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Copyright 1989 Chicago Tribune Company