City shuts down Old Town party with nearly 100 guests, cites 6 businesses for violating COVID-19 restrictions

The Renaissance Bronzeville on King Drive was also cited for allegedly allowing about 100 guests inside.

SHARE City shuts down Old Town party with nearly 100 guests, cites 6 businesses for violating COVID-19 restrictions
Screenshot_2021_03_05_152241.png

Granero at 2529 N. Milwaukee Ave.

Google Maps

City officials last weekend cited six businesses and shut down a large party at a home in Old Town for violating COVID-19 restrictions. 

A residence in the 300 block of West North Avenue was hosting 97 people without social distancing or face coverings, according to a statement from the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection. 

The establishment was issued a cease and desist order for operating without the required business licenses, BACP said. 

Officials said they conducted 86 investigations from Feb. 25 to Feb. 28, resulting in citations to six businesses:

  • The Renaissance Bronzeville, 4641 S. King Dr., for holding a gathering with over 100 patrons without social distancing or face coverings.
  • Cafe Il Cortile, 8443 W. Lawrence Ave., for allegedly allowing over 100 people to dine indoors with patrons and employees not wearing face coverings. 
  • Blue Line Lounge & Grill, 1548 N. Damen Ave., for allegedly operating with 15 patrons after the required midnight closure order. 
  • Dunkin’, 11525 S. Halsted St. for allegedly failing to require employees to wear face coverings. 
  • Granero, 2529 N. Milwaukee Ave., for allegedly holding an over-capacity gathering and operating after the required midnight closure order.
  • Kreative Care, 4803 N. Milwaukee Ave., for allegedly holding a gathering with 73 patrons without social distancing or face coverings. It was also issued a cease and desist order for operating without the required licenses.

Businesses cited for violating COVID-19 regulations can receive two citations with a potential fine of up to $10,500, the agency said. If a business repeatedly violates regulations, they may face extended closure of the establishment.

The Latest
Antoine Perteet, 33, targeted victims on the dating app Grindr, according to Chicago police.
Glass-facade buildings can disorient birds in flight. The city is expected to update and revise rules for new developments and rehabbed buildings next month. But bird groups say the proposed guidelines need to be mandatory.
The man was shot in the left eye area in the 5700 block of South Christiana Avenue on the city’s Southwest Side.
Most women who seek abortions are women of color, especially Black women. Restricting access to mifepristone, as a case now before the Supreme Court seeks to do, would worsen racial health disparities.
The Bears have spent months studying the draft. They’ll spend the next one plotting what could happen.