Liquor Ordinance Passes In Ukrainian Village, East Village

CHICAGO, IL — A new Ukrainian Village and East Village liquor moratorium is now in effect. At the city council meeting Nov. 8, an ordinance was passed that imposes a moratorium on tavern and packaged goods liquor licenses. The moratorium affects Chicago Avenue between Leavitt Street and Damen Avenue, and Damen Avenue between Chicago Avenue and Augusta Boulevard.

Passed unanimously out of the Committee on Licensing and City Council, the ordinance had the support of many local residents, the East Village Association, and the Ukrainian Village Neighborhood Association.

In a community newsletter, Ald. Brian Hopkins said residents wanted to preserve their neighborhood environment and prevent their streets from becoming "oversaturated with bars and nightclubs."

The alderman said current businesses that have an active tavern and packaged goods license are grandfathered in and will not be affected when they are up for renewal. He said that establishments that seek an incidental license, such as restaurants, would not be impacted by the moratorium.

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