"While most residents and businesses have been acting responsibly, the reality is far too many have been congregating at stores that sell alcohol," the mayor said at a news conference. She intends to give the Chicago Police Department and the Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection the power to further curb noncompliance through fines, arrest or revocation of liquor licenses.

A statement from City Hall says the curfew aims to "further ensure all businesses and residents are properly complying" with Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s stay-at-home order and "help prevent congregate activity that has been observed across the city near stores that sell alcohol, particularly during evening hours." Read the whole statement below.

BACP has issued 21 citations to eight businesses, BACP Commissioner Rosa Escareño said, with fines totaling up to $120,000. These businesses include a gym that continued to operate, a bar that stayed open, and a grocery store that failed to take steps to ensure social distancing. Escareño estimated BACP received 1,000 complaints from Chicagoans about non-compliant businesses, conducted 690 investigations and contacted more than 4,000 businesses over the phone to communicate city requirements.



Mayor Lori Lightfoot said she intended to collect on those fines, planned to crack down parties held at Airbnbs or short term rental properties, and didn't mind driving around to enforce compliance at parks and public places herself. "I am happy to do it."