# Chicago liquor license moratoriums: bans on Cottage Grove, State and 75th; openings in the West Loop

*On Sept. 23 the City Council closed three 6th Ward corridors to new liquor licenses and lifted bans on blocks in the West Loop, West Town and the 8th Ward.*

By Chicago Politics · Updated Oct 16, 2026

New liquor licenses are off the table along Cottage Grove, State Street and stretches of 71st, 75th and 79th in the 6th Ward, while a handful of blocks in the West Loop, on Grand Avenue and on Stony Island are open to them again.

That is the net result of nine ordinances the City Council passed on Sept. 23, all by a 50-0 vote and without debate, after the Committee on License and Consumer Protection heard them on Sept. 9. Each adds or removes a few blocks from the lists in Sections 4-60-022 and 4-60-023 of the Municipal Code: streets where no new license to sell liquor for drinking on the premises, or no new package goods license for carry-out sales, may be issued.

## Where did the Council close the door?

All three new moratoriums are in the 6th Ward, sponsored by Ald. William Hall, and each bars both kinds of licenses:

- [O2026-0027185](/matter/O2026-0027185-disallow-additional-alcoholic-liquor-package-goods): Cottage Grove Avenue from 71st Street to 75th Street.
- [O2026-0027270](/matter/O2026-0027270-disallow-additional-alcoholic-liquor-package-goods): State Street from 95th Street to 66th Street.
- [O2026-0027297](/matter/O2026-0027297-disallow-additional-alcoholic-liquor-package-goods): 75th Street from Vincennes Avenue to Cottage Grove Avenue, 79th Street from State Street to Cottage Grove Avenue, and 71st Street from Vincennes Avenue to Cottage Grove Avenue.

Hall gave the License Committee two reasons.

> "we have over the last three years built a community engagement process that all zoning matters all licensing matters put in the hands of the community and so as we look at reimagining our corridors uh where residents literally live next door and sometimes above we want to make sure that they are well aware of and have voice and democracy in the process of liquor licenses"
> — Ald. William E. Hall (6th Ward), Committee on License and Consumer Protection, Sept. 9, 2026

Before that, he said the areas his office identified had been oversaturated with liquor. No committee member asked a question; the three passed on a voice vote.

Video: [Ald. William Hall presents the 6th Ward liquor moratoriums](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/61670194-C09C-F111-8076-001DD803894A?t=3:37:00-3:38:09)

A fourth closing came from the 1st Ward. [O2026-0025816](/matter/O2026-0025816-disallow-additional-package-goods-licenses-portion), sponsored by Ald. Daniel La Spata, restores a package goods moratorium on Fullerton Avenue from Western Avenue to Rockwell Street. A staff member from La Spata's office told the committee the ward had lifted that moratorium so a long-standing package goods store could transfer to a new owner; with no complaints since, the office put the moratorium back.

## Where did the Council open it?

In the 34th Ward, Ald. William Conway sponsored two. [O2026-0026831](/matter/O2026-0026831-allow-additional-package-goods-licenses-portion) allows package goods licenses on the east side of Jefferson Street from Van Buren Street to Jackson Boulevard and the south side of Jackson from Jefferson to Clinton Street. [O2026-0027178](/matter/O2026-0027178-allow-additional-alcoholic-liquor-licenses-portion) allows on-premises liquor licenses on the south side of Randolph Street from Clinton to Jefferson, the east side of Jefferson from Randolph to Washington Boulevard, and the north side of Washington from Jefferson to Clinton. A staff member from Conway's office told the committee the first is for a new location of L&M Fine Foods, which now operates in the 47th Ward, and the second is for a restaurant going in at 565 West Randolph.

In the 42nd Ward, Ald. Brendan Reilly's [O2026-0027186](/matter/O2026-0027186-allow-additional-package-goods-licenses-portion) reopens the south side of Washington from the Chicago River to Canal Street, the east side of Canal from Washington to Madison Street, and the north side of Madison from Canal to the river, to package goods licenses.

> "This is to allow for a grab-and-go market inside two North Riverside. It'll be limited beer, wine, and seltzer products."
> — Ald. Brendan Reilly (42nd Ward), Committee on License and Consumer Protection, Sept. 9, 2026

Video: [Ald. Brendan Reilly on the Two North Riverside market](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/61670194-C09C-F111-8076-001DD803894A?t=3:41:08-3:41:45)

Back in the 1st Ward, La Spata and Ald. Walter Burnett (27th Ward) co-sponsored [O2026-0027169](/matter/O2026-0027169-allow-additional-package-goods-licenses-portion), which strikes the package goods moratorium on the south side of Grand Avenue from Racine Avenue to Noble Street.

Ald. Michelle Harris (8th Ward) sponsored [O2026-0027472](/matter/O2026-0027472-allow-additional-package-goods-licenses-portion), which deletes the package goods moratorium on Stony Island Avenue from 87th Street to 89th Street.

> "this was an expansion of a business and they needed to open a moratorium and two so they can expand their business"
> — Ald. Michelle A. Harris (8th Ward), Committee on License and Consumer Protection, Sept. 9, 2026

## How did the vote go?

The committee's chair, Ald. Debra Silverstein (50th Ward), reported the batch to the Council on Sept. 23 as 10 ordinances regarding liquor moratoriums in the 1st, 6th, 8th, 30th, 34th and 42nd wards. They passed by the same roll call the Council used for the first item of the Finance Committee report, which recorded all 50 alderpersons as yes, with an unsuccessful motion to reconsider by Ald. Gregory Mitchell (7th Ward).

How each ward voted: [O2026-0027270](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/O2026-0027270-disallow-additional-alcoholic-liquor-package-goods)

## What it means on your block

- **In Chatham and Grand Crossing,** no new bar, restaurant liquor license or liquor store can open on Cottage Grove between 71st and 75th, on State from 66th to 95th, or on the named stretches of 71st, 75th and 79th. Existing licenses are not affected.
- **In the West Loop,** a food store and a restaurant have a path to licenses near Jefferson and Randolph, and a market at Two North Riverside can sell beer, wine and seltzer.
- **On Grand near Racine, and on Stony Island at 87th,** package goods licenses are possible again.


## Legislation in this story

- [Amendment of Municipal Code Sections 4-60-022 (6.156) and 4-60-023 (6.181) to disallow additional alcoholic liquor and package goods licenses on portion(s) of S Cottage Grove Ave](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/O2026-0027185-disallow-additional-alcoholic-liquor-package-goods) (O2026-0027185)
- [Amendment of Municipal Code Sections 4-60-022 (6.157) and 4-60-023 (6.182) to disallow additional alcoholic liquor and package goods licenses on portion(s) of S State St](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/O2026-0027270-disallow-additional-alcoholic-liquor-package-goods) (O2026-0027270)
- [Amendment of Municipal Code Sections 4-60-022 and 4-60-023 to disallow additional alcoholic liquor and package goods licenses on portion(s) of W 75th St, W 79th St and W 71st St](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/O2026-0027297-disallow-additional-alcoholic-liquor-package-goods) (O2026-0027297)
- [Amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-60-023 (42.585) to allow additional package goods licenses on portion(s) of S Jefferson St and W Jackson Blvd](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/O2026-0026831-allow-additional-package-goods-licenses-portion) (O2026-0026831)
- [Amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-60-022 (42.530) to allow additional alcoholic liquor licenses on portion(s) of W Randolph St, N Jefferson St and W Washington Blvd](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/O2026-0027178-allow-additional-alcoholic-liquor-licenses-portion) (O2026-0027178)
- [Amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-60-023 (42.548) to allow additional package goods licenses on portion(s) of W Washington Blvd, N Canal St and W Madison St](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/O2026-0027186-allow-additional-package-goods-licenses-portion) (O2026-0027186)
- [2400 - 2600 W Fullerton](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/O2026-0025816-disallow-additional-package-goods-licenses-portion) (O2026-0025816)
- [Amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-60-023 (27.86) to allow additional package goods licenses on portion W Grand Ave](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/O2026-0027169-allow-additional-package-goods-licenses-portion) (O2026-0027169)
- [Amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-60-023 (8.41(a)) to allow additional package goods licenses on portion(s) of S Stony Island Ave](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/O2026-0027472-allow-additional-package-goods-licenses-portion) (O2026-0027472)

## Sources

1. City Clerk: [O2026-0027185: Amendment of Municipal Code Sections 4-60-022 (6.156) and 4-60-023 (6.181) to disallow additional alcoholic liquor and package goods licenses on portion(s) of S Cottage Grove Ave](https://chicityclerkelms.chicago.gov/Matter/?matterId=D99B319A-6B80-F111-AB0E-001DD80216AA)
2. City Clerk: [O2026-0027185, Committee Letter: O2026-0027185 signed letter.pdf](https://occprodstoragev1.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/matterattachmentspublic/5e31503a-1573-41b9-a42e-3058c8f7e808.pdf)
3. City Clerk: [O2026-0027185, Legislation: w6 - o27185.pdf](https://occprodstoragev1.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/matterattachmentspublic/adddc0a8-02c3-4b6b-81b2-8c9856afcf8c.pdf)
4. City Clerk: [O2026-0027270: Amendment of Municipal Code Sections 4-60-022 (6.157) and 4-60-023 (6.182) to disallow additional alcoholic liquor and package goods licenses on portion(s) of S State St](https://chicityclerkelms.chicago.gov/Matter/?matterId=507F8803-7D80-F111-AB0E-001DD80216AA)
5. City Clerk: [O2026-0027270, Committee Letter: O2026-0027270 signed letter.pdf](https://occprodstoragev1.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/matterattachmentspublic/62831890-41c0-4337-89cd-f540e4971a16.pdf)
6. City Clerk: [O2026-0027270, Legislation: w6 - o27270.pdf](https://occprodstoragev1.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/matterattachmentspublic/b32438f6-4a1a-418e-9d1f-718d854dd046.pdf)
7. City Clerk: [O2026-0027297: Amendment of Municipal Code Sections 4-60-022 and 4-60-023 to disallow additional alcoholic liquor and package goods licenses on portion(s) of W 75th St, W 79th St and W 71st St](https://chicityclerkelms.chicago.gov/Matter/?matterId=83584ED8-8180-F111-AB0E-001DD80216AA)
8. City Clerk: [O2026-0027297, Committee Letter: O2026-0027297 signed letter.pdf](https://occprodstoragev1.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/matterattachmentspublic/6071aff9-1ee1-426b-89b5-617adbd5b5f6.pdf)
9. City Clerk: [O2026-0027297, Legislation: w6 - o27297.pdf](https://occprodstoragev1.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/matterattachmentspublic/6a370cdc-0feb-45a9-aa86-a2cf8a46e3e7.pdf)
10. City Clerk: [O2026-0026831: Amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-60-023 (42.585) to allow additional package goods licenses on portion(s) of S Jefferson St and W Jackson Blvd](https://chicityclerkelms.chicago.gov/Matter/?matterId=FC48F33D-417A-F111-AB0D-001DD806633E)
11. City Clerk: [O2026-0026831, Committee Letter: O2026-0026831 signed letter.pdf](https://occprodstoragev1.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/matterattachmentspublic/27ecfc2e-3593-4bb6-a1b4-d964753c48b9.pdf)
12. City Clerk: [O2026-0026831, Legislation: Jefferson Packaged Goods.pdf](https://occprodstoragev1.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/matterattachmentspublic/91201466-e0b2-4735-a331-8297f56bb226.pdf)
13. City Clerk: [O2026-0027178: Amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-60-022 (42.530) to allow additional alcoholic liquor licenses on portion(s) of W Randolph St, N Jefferson St and W Washington Blvd](https://chicityclerkelms.chicago.gov/Matter/?matterId=A11C83CB-6980-F111-AB0E-001DD80216AA)
14. City Clerk: [O2026-0027178, Legislation: w34 - o27178.pdf](https://occprodstoragev1.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/matterattachmentspublic/085751a1-b982-4462-876c-246fbb3b8618.pdf)
15. City Clerk: [O2026-0027178, Committee Letter: O2026-0027178 signed letter.pdf](https://occprodstoragev1.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/matterattachmentspublic/36b2a169-a8a1-4947-98ec-a67103adc5b1.pdf)
16. City Clerk: [O2026-0027186: Amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-60-023 (42.548) to allow additional package goods licenses on portion(s) of W Washington Blvd, N Canal St and W Madison St](https://chicityclerkelms.chicago.gov/Matter/?matterId=273B32BE-6B80-F111-AB0E-001DD80216AA)
17. City Clerk: [O2026-0027186, Legislation: w42 - o27186.pdf](https://occprodstoragev1.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/matterattachmentspublic/005fa047-1231-4eb8-92c8-f3f0bf45691c.pdf)
18. City Clerk: [O2026-0027186, Committee Letter: O2026-0027186 signed letter.pdf](https://occprodstoragev1.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/matterattachmentspublic/27c8af10-2464-4398-8ca2-355a7a73dfa6.pdf)
19. City Clerk: [O2026-0025816: 2400 - 2600 W Fullerton](https://chicityclerkelms.chicago.gov/Matter/?matterId=FDBFFAC7-945B-F111-BEC5-001DD80C412B)
20. City Clerk: [O2026-0025816, Legislation: 0679_001.pdf](https://occprodstoragev1.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/matterattachmentspublic/e2374cab-106a-4b9a-a12b-a58fb7e3f51e.pdf)
21. City Clerk: [O2026-0025816, Committee Letter: O2026-0025816 signed letter.pdf](https://occprodstoragev1.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/matterattachmentspublic/ec8c2fde-c02a-47d3-bb9c-2f2fc28b1df9.pdf)
22. City Clerk: [O2026-0027169: Amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-60-023 (27.86) to allow additional package goods licenses on portion W Grand Ave](https://chicityclerkelms.chicago.gov/Matter/?matterId=E283354F-6780-F111-AB0E-001DD80216AA)
23. City Clerk: [O2026-0027169, Legislation: w1-27 - o27169.pdf](https://occprodstoragev1.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/matterattachmentspublic/9e5e2bc1-1531-4b81-9bf4-810c063601de.pdf)
24. City Clerk: [O2026-0027169, Committee Letter: O2026-0027169 signed letter.pdf](https://occprodstoragev1.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/matterattachmentspublic/f4271c6b-f6ba-4a41-9d97-4ddfb90c6c33.pdf)
25. City Clerk: [O2026-0027472: Amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-60-023 (8.41(a)) to allow additional package goods licenses on portion(s) of S Stony Island Ave](https://chicityclerkelms.chicago.gov/Matter/?matterId=D2C176E5-E185-F111-AB0E-001DD80BE3C0)
26. City Clerk: [O2026-0027472, Committee Letter: O2026-0027472 signed letter.pdf](https://occprodstoragev1.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/matterattachmentspublic/54859f95-31aa-4f03-acbf-d4f23a3c78af.pdf)
27. City Clerk: [O2026-0027472, Legislation: w8 - o27472.pdf](https://occprodstoragev1.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/matterattachmentspublic/68ef54c3-9160-46de-aa65-ae5cdf689bee.pdf)
28. City of Chicago: [City Council, Sep 23, 2026: meeting video](https://vimeo.com/1229341127)
29. City Clerk: [City Council, Sep 23, 2026: Notice](https://occprodstoragev1.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/meetingattachmentspublic/0453fb95-f485-f111-ab0e-001dd8036800.pdf)
30. City Clerk: [City Council, Sep 23, 2026: Agenda](https://occprodstoragev1.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/meetingattachmentspublic/3c45558c-4276-444e-8e33-940aedd27693.pdf)
31. City of Chicago: [Committee on License and Consumer Protection, Sep 9, 2026: meeting video](https://vimeo.com/1225329148)
32. City Clerk: [Committee on License and Consumer Protection, Sep 9, 2026: Summary](https://occprodstoragev1.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/meetingattachmentspublic/77fc8659-087b-4cb6-bf1f-506d94a53184.pdf)
33. City Clerk: [Committee on License and Consumer Protection, Sep 9, 2026: Notice](https://occprodstoragev1.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/meetingattachmentspublic/44c01a15-c19c-f111-8076-001dd80aa3cc.pdf)
34. Chicago Politics: [O2026-0027185: votes, timeline and summary](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/O2026-0027185-disallow-additional-alcoholic-liquor-package-goods)
35. Chicago Politics: [O2026-0027270: votes, timeline and summary](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/O2026-0027270-disallow-additional-alcoholic-liquor-package-goods)
36. Chicago Politics: [O2026-0027297: votes, timeline and summary](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/O2026-0027297-disallow-additional-alcoholic-liquor-package-goods)
37. Chicago Politics: [O2026-0026831: votes, timeline and summary](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/O2026-0026831-allow-additional-package-goods-licenses-portion)
38. Chicago Politics: [O2026-0027178: votes, timeline and summary](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/O2026-0027178-allow-additional-alcoholic-liquor-licenses-portion)
39. Chicago Politics: [O2026-0027186: votes, timeline and summary](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/O2026-0027186-allow-additional-package-goods-licenses-portion)
40. Chicago Politics: [O2026-0025816: votes, timeline and summary](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/O2026-0025816-disallow-additional-package-goods-licenses-portion)
41. Chicago Politics: [O2026-0027169: votes, timeline and summary](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/O2026-0027169-allow-additional-package-goods-licenses-portion)
42. Chicago Politics: [O2026-0027472: votes, timeline and summary](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/O2026-0027472-allow-additional-package-goods-licenses-portion)
43. Chicago Politics: [City Council, Sep 23, 2026: transcript](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/transcripts/1229341127.txt)
44. Chicago Politics: [Committee on License and Consumer Protection, Sep 9, 2026: transcript](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/transcripts/1225329148.txt)
45. City of Chicago: [Neighborhood and community area boundaries (Chicago Data Portal)](https://data.cityofchicago.org/d/y6yq-dbs2)

On the map: [Grand Crossing](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/on-my-block/neighborhoods/grand-crossing), [Chatham](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/on-my-block/neighborhoods/chatham), [West Loop](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/on-my-block/neighborhoods/west-loop), [Greektown](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/on-my-block/neighborhoods/greektown), [Loop](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/on-my-block/neighborhoods/loop), [Logan Square](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/on-my-block/neighborhoods/logan-square), [West Town](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/on-my-block/neighborhoods/west-town), [Calumet Heights](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/on-my-block/neighborhoods/calumet-heights), [Avalon Park](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/on-my-block/neighborhoods/avalon-park), [6th Ward](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/6), [34th Ward](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/34), [42nd Ward](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/42), [1st Ward](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/1), [8th Ward](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/8)

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Source: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/on-my-block/liquor-license-moratoriums-chatham-west-loop-logan-square-stony-island · Chicago Politics, an independent tracker of the Chicago City Council. Guide for agents: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/llms.txt