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Labor Day: Public Drinking Rules in Chicago

Thursday, August 30, 2012 16:12

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(Before It's News)

For some, Labor Day is a time to celebrate something to do with people working somewhere. For far more of our fair citizens, it’s an excuse to take the day off, barbeque or check out a street fair, and crack open a cold beer.

The problem with those street fairs is they can get so boring. Only a few serve alcohol. And if your wife is dragging you to an arts and crafts fair, you’re going to need alcohol. And think about those awkward social interactions at sober barbeques. Who needs that, right?

So can you drink toss back cold can of Pabst Blue Ribbon in public?

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Pabst Blue Ribbon
Image courtesy of eBaumsworld.com

The short answer is no.

Chicago Municipal Code 8-4-030 prohibits “drinking in the public ways.” This means no open containers of alcohol on city streets or highways, “in or about” a motor vehicle, or pretty much anywhere else in public. There are exceptions for the Navy Pier, any venue holding a valid Riverwalk Venue liquor license, and any place with a sidewalk cafe that has a liquor license.

In other words, unless you have a special permit, no (open) beer is allowed at a barbeque if it’s held on public property like a city park.

The punishment is a fine of between $100 to $500, imprisonment for up to six months, or both.

You’re probably thinking, well, perhaps we should just pregame a little and drink before we head out. That’s a strong possibility. Just don’t urinate or defecate in public. Drunk people tend to do that. It also carries a $100 to $500 fine, though the possible jail time is only five to 10 days.

In other words, Labor Day is going to suck, right?

Not exactly. There’s always the Cook County Forest Preserves. They have reservable picnic areas for your Labor Day festivities (if any are still available) or you can simply bring a picnic. Best of all, for all of you oenophiles and cerevisaphiles (wine and beer lovers), drinking in the Forest Preserves is legal, as long as you don’t get intoxicated or drink within fifty feet of a roadway.

Wherever you celebrate, please remember to do so responsibly. This weekend is a maximum enforcement period for law enforcement agencies across the country. As they so cornily reminded us recently, “Drive Sober, or Get Pulled Over!”

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