City Council Zoning Committee Approves Ordinance Allowing Topless Clubs To Serve Alcohol
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Chicago aldermen have given preliminary approval to a measure that will allow strip clubs that feature topless dancers to also serve alcohol, reports WBBM Political Editor Craig Dellimore.
The City Council's Zoning Committee has approved an ordinance that sponsor Alderman Emma Mitts says solved a problem. Because topless clubs currently can't serve liquor, patrons are allowed to bring their own and drink as much as they want. This ordinance would changes things.
They call it the Adult Entertainment Control Act, and basically, it would allow strip clubs in Chicago to have both semi-nude dancing and sell alcohol. Right now, they can only do one or the other.
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Mitts says strip club patrons have been bringing their own booze and getting drunk. She says the inebriated patrons have then gone outside and disrupted the neighborhoods. Backers say now the clubs would regulate the alcohol intake.
The measure passed, despite some "no" votes and, in an apparent move to build support ahead of a full council vote, owners of adult establishments have put together a $400,000 to help domestic violence and sexual assault prevention programs at the Heartland Alliance.
