Committee on License and Consumer Protection meeting, June 9, 2026
- When: Tue, Jun 9, 2026, 12:30 PM (Chicago time)
- Where: 201A, 2nd Floor, City Hall, 121 North LaSalle Street - Chicago, IL 60602
- Status: Scheduled & Published
- Committee: Committee on License and Consumer Protection
- Video: https://vimeo.com/showcase/8928556?video=1199824423
- Transcript: full text (4,064 words, automatic captions)
Meeting notes
AI-written from the transcript. Speakers are inferred from cues in the recording, so treat names as estimates and check the video at the linked time.
The Committee on License and Consumer Protection, chaired by Alderwoman Debra L. Silverstein, heard public comment largely from small business owners opposing a ban on sweepstakes machines and asking for a regulatory framework instead, along with other speakers. The committee approved the May 2026 Rule 45 reports and passed an ordinance reducing the maximum number of lakefront liquor licenses from 31 to 30 by removing Rainbow Beach, after discussion that the 7th Ward alderman had not been consulted on the earlier addition. It also passed ordinances disallowing additional liquor licenses on part of West 55th Street, renewing restricted residential zones barring shared housing and vacation rentals in five precincts of the 23rd Ward, allowing package goods licenses on part of West Chicago Avenue, disallowing package goods licenses on parts of West Howard Street and North Clark Street, and allowing liquor licenses on part of West Devon Avenue. An item from Alderman William E. Hall office was held because no one was present to present it.
Topics: sweepstakes machines, lakefront liquor licenses, liquor license moratoriums, package goods licenses, shared housing restrictions, vacation rentals
Agenda items discussed
- 20:45 Rule 45 reports for May 2026: passed
- 21:16 Amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-60-073 decreasing the maximum number of lakefront liquor licenses from 31 to 30 (removing Rainbow Beach): passed
- 27:02 Amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-60-022 to disallow additional alcoholic liquor licenses on a portion of West 55th Street: passed
- 28:08 Renewal of designation of the 4th, 28th, 29th, 30th, and 32nd Precincts of the 23rd Ward as restricted residential zones prohibiting additional shared housing units and vacation rentals: passed
- 30:33 Item sponsored by Alderman William E. Hall (item four): held
- 30:42 Amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-60-023 to allow additional package goods licenses on portions of West Chicago Avenue: passed
- 32:04 Amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-60-023 to disallow additional package goods licenses on portions of West Howard Street (O2026-0025354): passed
- 32:20 Amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-60-023 to disallow additional package goods licenses on portions of North Clark Street (O2026-0025355): passed
- 33:44 Amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-60-022 to allow additional alcoholic liquor licenses on a portion of West Devon Avenue in the 50th Ward (O2026-0025384): passed
Alderpersons who spoke
- Debra L. Silverstein (chair): Said a long-standing tavern on Devon Avenue is changing hands to a new owner who will keep its character, which the ordinance would allow. (34:06)
- Bennett R. Lawson (alderperson): Asked whether a vendor had already been selected for the Rainbow Beach liquor license given how late it is in the season. (23:02)
- David H. Moore (alderperson): Asked whether the original ordinance increased the number of licenses and whether a substitute was before the committee. (23:45); Asked whether the change would affect the current vendor's operations at Rainbow Beach. (24:33)
- Brendan Reilly (alderperson): Said he had flagged at the prior hearing that lakefront aldermen should be consulted on liquor license additions, and that the 7th Ward alderman then determined the vendor had not approached his office. (25:19)
- Jeylú B. Gutiérrez (alderperson): Said she introduced the West 55th Street liquor moratorium because the precinct is near five schools and a church and has had problems with existing licenses. (27:26)
- Walter R. Burnett (alderperson): Said a wine store on Chicago Avenue is being sold and the code must be lifted so the new operator can obtain a license, noting no issues with the store. (31:02)
Exchanges between members
- 26:15 The chair agreed with Reilly's account of why the Rainbow Beach license was being removed.
- 31:48 The chair thanked Reilly for presiding in her absence.