Amendment of Municipal Code Section 17-3-0301 regarding regulations on Public Place of Amusement licenses

Votes › Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards › 47th Ward: Matthew J. Martin

• Record number: SO2025-0017570
• Type: Ordinance; category: Municipal Code Amendments
• Status: Final
• Sponsor: Matthew J. Martin (47th Ward)
• Co-sponsors (8): Burnett, Jr., Walter, Jessica L. Fuentes (26th Ward), Maria E. Hadden (49th Ward), Daniel La Spata (1st Ward), Bennett R. Lawson (44th Ward), Samantha Nugent (39th Ward), Brendan Reilly (42nd Ward), Andre Vasquez Jr. (40th Ward)
• Committee: Committee on Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards
• Introduction Date: May 21, 2025
• Final Action Date: May 20, 2026
• Official record: Office of the City Clerk

Roll call: Passed May 20, 2026

50 yea, 0 nay. On motion of Alderperson Villegas, and unsuccessful motion to reconsider by Alderperson Mitchell, the matter was Passed. Voted at the City Council meeting of May 20, 2026.

Yea (50): Daniel La Spata (1), Brian Hopkins (2), Pat Dowell (3), Lamont J. Robinson (4), Desmon C. Yancy (5), William E. Hall (6), Gregory I. Mitchell (7), Michelle A. Harris (8), Anthony Beale (9), Peter Chico (10), Nicole T. Lee (11), Julia M. Ramirez (12), Marty Quinn (13), Jeylú B. Gutiérrez (14), Raymond A. Lopez (15), Stephanie D. Coleman (16), David H. Moore (17), Derrick G. Curtis (18), Matthew J. O'Shea (19), Jeanette B. Taylor (20), Ronnie L. Mosley (21), Michael D. Rodriguez (22), Silvana Tabares (23), Monique L. Scott (24), Byron Sigcho-López (25), Jessica L. Fuentes (26), Walter R. Burnett (27), Jason C. Ervin (28), Chris Taliaferro (29), Ruth Cruz (30), Felix Cardona Jr. (31), Scott Waguespack (32), Rossana Rodríguez Sánchez (33), William Conway (34), Anthony J. Quezada (35), Gilbert Villegas (36), Emma Mitts (37), Nicholas Sposato (38), Samantha Nugent (39), Andre Vasquez Jr. (40), Anthony V. Napolitano (41), Brendan Reilly (42), Timothy R. Knudsen (43), Bennett R. Lawson (44), James M. Gardiner (45), Angela Clay (46), Matthew J. Martin (47), Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth (48), Maria E. Hadden (49), Debra L. Silverstein (50)

Plain-language summary

Written by AI (claude-opus-5-5) from the ordinance text only: SO2025-0017570 substitute ordinance.pdf. AI can make mistakes; the official document always wins.

This ordinance changes a section of Chicago's zoning code about businesses that need a Public Place of Amusement (PPA) license. The section says these businesses in B and C zoning districts cannot be within 125 feet of certain residential districts (RS1, RS2, or RS3). The amended section also lists exceptions for performing arts venues and for certain alcohol makers, such as breweries, distilleries, and wineries.

• Businesses needing a PPA license in B and C districts may not be located within 125 feet of RS1, RS2, or RS3 residential districts.
• The distance is measured from the nearest property line of the business's lot to the nearest RS1, RS2, or RS3 district boundary.
• Licensed businesses lawfully set up before August 16, 1997 may keep operating as long as they keep a valid PPA license.
• The rule does not apply to new or existing performing arts venues, or to limited manufacturing uses holding a State brewer, brew pub, distiller, craft distiller, distilling pub, wine manufacturer, or wine maker license of any class.
• The ordinance takes effect upon passage and publication.

Who: Businesses that need a PPA license in B and C districts, including performing arts venues and licensed breweries, distilleries, and wineries, as well as nearby residential areas.

Where: B and C zoning districts in Chicago located near RS1, RS2, or RS3 residential districts; no specific ward is stated.

Timeline

• May 21, 2025: Referred, City Council. The matter was Referred to Committee.
• Apr 13, 2026: Recommended for Re-Referral, Committee on License and Consumer Protection. The matter was recommended for Re-Referral by controlling legislative body.
• Apr 13, 2026: Substituted, Committee on License and Consumer Protection. The matter was Substituted in Committee.
• Apr 15, 2026: Referred, City Council. The matter was Referred to Committee.
• May 19, 2026: Recommended to Pass, Committee on Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards. The matter was recommended to Pass by controlling legislative body.
• May 20, 2026: Passed, City Council (50 yea, 0 nay), at the City Council meeting. On motion of Alderperson Villegas, and unsuccessful motion to reconsider by Alderperson Mitchell, the matter was Passed.

Documents

• ZLB 5-19-2026.pdf (Committee Letter)
• SO2025-0017570 substitute ordinance.pdf (Legislation)
• SO2025-0017570 signed letter.pdf (Committee Letter)
• w47 - o17570.pdf (Legislation)

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