CITY CITES WEST SIDE BUSINESSES FOR VIOLATIONS

The City of Chicago Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection (BACP) released its flagged business list for July. Businesses on the list have received at least two adjudicated violations in the past 12 months. The flagged locations are subject to increased inspections by all city regulatory agencies and further violations will result in disciplinary action and possible revocation of their business licenses.
    Business & Consumer Protection is recommending revocation of the business license for  GET CONNECTED, a retail store located at 3647 West Division Street. Chicago Police Vice Officers investigating a nearby shooting visited the store and arrested a store employee and another male for possession of firearms and drugs on the premises. The location also had several municipal code violations and BACP will use the incident to strengthen the case for license revocation against the business.
    Another business – NICKEL LIQUORS – located at 3637 West Division Street, is being investigated and added to the flagged list after police officers discovered a blue steel handgun with a defaced serial number under a pallet of soda in a public area of the store. The day before the gun was discovered by police, the location was cited by the Department of Buildings for code violations.
    In both cases, these stores have been identified as places that offer protection and congregation for gang members. BACP is using this information and business histories to bolster cases against them and remove the possibility of more criminal activity occurring at their locations and involved with the businesses. Of the 37 flagged businesses in this report, 18 have already been referred for disciplinary action.
    Other West Side businesses included in the July report from BACP and facing disciplinary action are:
    24 FOODS, 329 NORTH LARAMIE AVENUE - Referred for Action (placed on list in May). This store has more than 5 dockets at Administrative Hearings in the previous 12 months resulting in orders of liability, including violations for deceptive practices and liquor liability insurance. Community calls to 311 report sales of loose cigarettes to minors and selling cigarette packs without tax stamps.
    CHICAGO AVENUE DISCOUNT, 5605 WEST CHICAGO AVENUE (placed on list in May). This store has more than 19 dockets at Administrative Hearings in the previous 12 months resulting in orders of liability, including violations for selling unstamped cigarettes, furnishing tobacco products to minors, and deceptive practices. Community calls to 311 report sales of loose cigarettes and sales of cigarette packs without tax stamps.

    CLARK GAS STATION, 5035 WEST DIVISION STREET – Referred for Action (added to list in May). Gas station & store are now closed. Has two dockets at Administrative Hearings in previous 12 months resulting in orders of liability, including police violations for drinking on the public way and selling unstamped cigarettes.
    DUNKIN DONUTS, 800 NORTH KEDZIE AVENUE (added to list in June). Store has 3 dockets at Administrative Hearings in previous 12 months resulting in orders of liability, including violations for sanitation requirements and control of vermin and insects. Community calls to 311 include seeing large rat in the restaurant near serving area; flies are everywhere, even on the donuts, and bugs on donuts because they are not covered.
    R&G MILLER, INC., 939 NORTH PULASKI ROAD – Referred for Action (added to list in May). Business has more than one docket at Administrative Hearings in previous 12 months resulting in orders of liability, including violations for failing to remove and discontinue using padlocks on all 1st floor doors, police violations for over-occupancy and operating after a cease & desist order.
  
 SWEET TART, INC., 1559 SOUTH HOMAN AVENUE (added to list in May). Business has 2 dockets at Administrative Hearings in previous 12 months resulting in orders of liability, including violations for selling unstamped cigarettes, furnishing tobacco products and tobacco accessories to minors, and deceptive practices. Community calls to 311 report sales of loose cigarettes for 50-cents each, clerk at front counter selling cigarettes from Indiana, and sales of loose cigarettes to a young boy.

    THREE STARS LIQUORS, 310 NORTH KOSTNER AVENUE – Referred for Action (added to list in May). Store has more than 3 dockets in Administrative Hearings in previous 12 months resulting in orders of liability, including violations for price marking and display, outdated infant formula, deceptive practices, and fraud in connection with a sale. Community calls to 311 report sales of alcohol to minors, rat and cat infestations, unsanitary conditions, water in light fixtures, and water leakage inside the store. Community residents have been working with the city and Alderman Ervin to close the store because of numerous shootings in the area and gang members being allowed to congregate at the store. Citizen requests to the owner to shorten hours of operation have been refused. The store is site of regular protest marches by community residents.