CHICAGO — Mayor Lori Lightfoot has ordered a 9 p.m. curfew on liquor sales during the new coronavirus stay-at-home order starting Thursday.

The liquor sales curfew aims to prevent large gatherings at liquor stores, which have been resulted in police having to disperse crowds more than 2,000 times since the stay home order, including 300 gatherings last night, interim police Supt. Charlie Beck said. Police also have issued 11 citations — $5,500 in fines — to people for not complying with dispersement orders and the stay-at-home order. The mayor's liquor sales curfew gives police authority to arrest people who don't comply and revoke the liquor licenses of stores that don't comply with the 9 p.m. sales ban.

"We are not messing around with this," Lightfoot said. "We will not hesitate to take even further action as needed. This especially goes for businesses."

Separately, city business and consumer protection department has issued 21 citations to eight businesses — a gym, bar and other non-essential businesses, for violating the stay home order resulting in more than $120,000 in fines, officials said.

BACP has issued citations to the following businesses for violating the Stay at Home Order: Ali Baba Hookah Bar – Allowing dine-in customers

Bikram Yoga West Loop – Remaining open as a non-essential business

Cermak Fresh Market – Failure to follow social distancing requirements

Cortland's Garage – Allowing dine-in customers

High Low Club – Remaining open as a non-essential business

River North CrossFit – Remaining open as a non-essential business

Sweet Leaf Cigar Lounge – Remaining open as a non-essential business

Tucker Pups – Remaining open as a non-essential business "Throughout the COVID-19 crisis, we have taken every possible step to keep our residents safe, and today's order builds on that effort by further ensuring residents stay at home and therefore, save lives," Lightfoot said.



"Our business owners understand that public safety and public health is more important than profit and I want to thank them for not only their patience during this time but most importantly, their cooperation and partnership to keep our residents safe."