Joliet's Mayor Roots For Anthony's To Move Beyond Its Problems

JOLIET, IL - Mayor Bob O'Dekirk issued a statement Thursday vowing that Joliet won't tolerate any further chaos and commotion at Anthony's Restaurant & Pub. Less than two weeks ago, around 2:45 a.m. a parking lot fist-fight broke out at the bar near the Louis Joliet Mall. The fracas moved across the street into the Toys R Us parking lot where a young man and woman both suffered non-life threatening gunshot wounds and a few vehicles were sprayed by gunfire. The unidentified gunman and his getaway driver are still at large.

"The people of Joliet need to know that their elected officials will respond to any situation that is putting people in danger," O'Dekirk mentioned in Thursday's statement.

July 23 marked the second incident involving gunfire outside the Anthony's Restaurant this year. Back in February, an unidentified gunman sprayed the parking lot with several bullets, and one of those bullets struck one of the front windows. No arrests have been made in that particular crime.

O'Dekirk supports last Friday's compromise reached between Anthony's and city officials to avoid a showdown in front of the city's liquor commission. Anthony's can no longer stay open later than 2 a.m. on the business days of Fridays and Saturdays (Saturday and Sunday mornings), the city explained. Anthony's also forfeited its Class M entertainment permit.

"As such, Anthony's will no longer be allowed to provide live entertainment," O'Dekirk noted.

"I think the city's actions here demonstrate our commitment to fighting violence in every corner of the city," the mayor stated. "I hope that the new rules the city is imposing on Anthony's will work and that they can continue to be a viable restaurant and bar in our community."

O'Dekirk told Joliet Patch on Thursday afternoon that he is rooting for Anthony's to overcome the recent wave of late-night problems. The mayor said it was his understanding that Anthony's had no problems last weekend, which marked the first time Anthony's hours were restricted.

Previously, Anthony's could stay open until 3 a.m. on weekends. Many of the bar's problems that required Joliet police intervention occurred between 2 and 3 a.m.

"Hopefully, everyone over there gets the message and ensures that it does not happen again," O'Dekirk said. "I would love to see them succeed. They put a lot of money into their restaurant."

File image of Anthony's via Patch

Image of Mayor Bob O'Dekirk via City of Joliet