Politics & Government
O'Shea Looks to Boost Fines For Parade Boozers
At Wednesday's City Council meeting, Ald. Matt O'Shea proposed an ordinance that would increase fines for those caught drinking near parades, the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
If you booze you might stand to loose a little more at next year's South Side Irish Parade.
On Wednesday, Ald. Matt O'Shea proposed a new ordinance that would increase fines for those caught drinking within 200 feet of a parade, Fran Spielman of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
The minimum fine would increase from $100 to $500 and the maximum would jump from $500 to $1,000. The ordinance has direct ties to the South Side Irish Parade, and this year's chairman Joe Connolly helped draft it, the report states.
Find out what's happening in Beverly-MtGreenwoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
In September Patch spoke with Connolly about plans for next year's parade.
"We were thrilled with the quality of the parade last year," Connolly said. "It was definitely very family oriented, very safe and with little to no public drinking."
Find out what's happening in Beverly-MtGreenwoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The 2013 parade will see entries rise from 65 to about 85 or 90, Connolly said. The committee still plans to use an aggressive approach to security to curb drinking and wants to maintain the family atmosphere of the revamped approach.
The 2013 parade will add a new element, a mile run down Western Avenue, dubbed the "Emerald Isle Mile," which will kick off the days festivities at 11 a.m on March 10.
Are you happy with the proposed public drinking fine increases? Are you confident in the family-focused vision for the parade?
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
