CHICAGO – A Chicago alderman is calling on the city to shut down a newly opened restaurant in River North following another fatal shooting outside the location.
The backstory:
The latest incident outside Artis Restaurant and Lounge late Wednesday night left four people dead and 14 others wounded. It’s the second fatal shooting at that address in recent years—back in November 2022, one person was killed, and three others were hurt outside what was then Hush Lounge at 311 West Chicago Avenue.
After the 2022 shooting, Hush was shut down when Chicago police and Ald. Brendan Reilly’s office issued a summary closure and revoked its liquor license, Reilly said in a statement released Thursday afternoon.
Reilly later put a moratorium on late-hour liquor licenses in the 42nd Ward, blocking a new nightclub from opening at the site. However, Artis recently opened as a BYOB restaurant.
What we know:
On Wednesday night, someone inside a dark-colored vehicle opened fire on a large group of people gathered outside Artis for a private listening party for Chicago rapper Mello Buckzz.
The vehicle fled the scene immediately after the shooting, which left 18 people shot, four of them fatally.
What they’re saying:
In the statement, Reilly called on the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) to immediately revoke Artis’ business license and close the space, saying the owners were dishonest with the city about their plans for the venue.
“Despite early assurances from the new restaurant owner that this venue would support local artisans, foster inclusivity, and serve as a hub for connection, creativity, and joy—the owners decided to turn over their venue to promote a new rap album release,” Reilly said. “It is clear the new operators were dishonest with the City about their plans for the venue and have now contributed to a devastating act of violence—just weeks after opening as a BYOB ‘restaurant.'”
Reilly said he and fellow Ald. Scott Waguespack have pursued an ordinance that would regulate events held at nightclubs, where owners “simply hand the keys to the promoters to do as they wish.” He added that his office and Chicago police are now taking steps to prevent the venue from reopening following Wednesday night’s shooting.
“We will continue to work closely with CPD, BACP and the Department of Law to use every enforcement tool available to ensure this business never reopens,” Reilly said.
What’s next:
No one is in custody and Chicago police are still investigating.
The Source: The information in this report came from Ald. Brendan Reilly, the Chicago Police Department, interviews with witnesses and victims’ family members.
Crime and Public SafetyNewsRiver North
