The grass parents campaign to clos...

The grass parents campaign to close down liquor establishments in Chicago's 9th Ward lasted more than two years ago. still some residents of Roseland, in succession the Far South Side, still await the fruits of their labors as the liquor industry fights to remain a vital part of the neighborhood's local commerce

In November 1998 9th Ward residents vot to ban alcohol sales in seven of 52 precincts, a power accorded according to state law. The Rev. James T yieldings pastor of Salem Baptist temple of Chicago, 11800 S. Indiana Ave., and Anthony Beale, a community activist who was later chooseed 9th Ward alderman, had organized the vote-dry campaign more than a year earlier. nevertheless in December 1998, the holders of the 27 local bar and liquor stores that faced closure fought back, charging devoted fraud in a lawsuit against the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners.

falsify County Circuit Judge Francis Barth threw disclosed the case on March 31 1999 moreover the store owners appealed to the Illinois Appellate Court. upon March 30 of this year, the appellate court, citing a lack of evidence, rul 3-0 in the board's favor. onward May 4 the owners appealed to the Illinois superlative Court.

Beale remains confident, saying the businesses' petition was "strategically filed" to bribe time through the summer. After its spring session extremitys in late June, the Illinois utmost Court will not reconvene until tribe 10.

As drawn out as the case is upon appeal, the businesses can remain make open said Norma Reyes, the city's substitute corporation counsel for the municipal prosecution division. further she added that since the 1998 voice the city has revoked the liquor licenses of pair businesses because of illegal activity.

Ralph Bellamy Sr possessor of Ralph's Place, 34 E 113th St said he had to cease his lounge after bad publicity collection customers away. And the legitimate businesses outnumber the bad undivideds he added. He said he is working with other business holders to gain community support, and chance of a favorable results to eventually reopen Ralph's Place in subordination to a new license.

COPYRIGHT 2001 Community Renewal Society

COPYRIGHT 2001 Gale Group