Tougher Parade Drinking Restrictions Approved by City Council

It's now official. 

An ordinance sponsored by Ald. Matt O'Shea and worked on by the South Side Irish Parade Committee that imposes harsher punishments and tighter restrictions on drinking and intoxication during parades was passed. 

"I believe this ordinance will make parades in our great city safer," O'Shea said before the ordinance was unanimously approved Wednesday afternoon.

The ordinance passed committee last week.

Read: Boozers at South Side Irish Parade Might Soon Face Harsher Fines 

"It helps us work within our security plan and with the Chicago Police Department so that many of the old behaviors don't come back," said said Joe Connelly, co-chair of the parade committee last week. "There is really no room for open alcohol and this ordinance just further reinforces that."

The ordinance increases the punishment of those found in violation within 200 feet of a parade route. It will apply to all parades within the city. 

• Drinking on the public way increases from a minimum of $100 and maximum of $500, to a minimum of $500 and maximum of $1,000
• Intoxication by a minor rises from $25 for the first violation and $100 for subsequent violations to $500 or 25 hours of community service
• Public urination or defecation will increase from a minimum of $100 and maximum of $500, to $500 and $1,000 respectively 

More Parade News

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• Tickets Available For South Side Irish Parade Pre-Event Fundraiser
• South Side Irish Parade Season Kicks Off With a Bang This Weekend
• O'Shea Looks to Boost Fines For Parade Boozers