47th WARD, 9th PRECINCT RESIDENTS
DID YOU KNOW?
In Lincoln Square, the area between Montrose, Sunnyside, Lincoln, and Damen has been under an alcohol sales ban since 1907. This outdated law is holding back local businesses. It’s time to lose this relic of the past. Vote NO to repeal the ban.
IT’S TIME FOR CHANGE. this is what it means for you...
FAIR Competition.
The liquor ban has created an uneven playing field for local businesses, putting restaurants, grocery stores and retailers in the prohibited area at a disadvantage.
Voting ‘No’ will bring equality to businesses in this precinct.
GROW THE LOCAL ECONOMY.
Increased foot traffic and patronage for local restaurants will not only enhance the dining experience but also drive additional revenue, jobs and tax dollars. Visitors attracted by thriving restaurants tend to spend more in surrounding shops and services, creating a ripple effect of economic growth.
A THRIVING LINCOLN SQUARE.
Voting to overturn this outdated ban is a vote for boosting Lincoln Square’s business environment and ensuring the neighborhood remains a lively, fun place to live, work and play.
Background on the Lincoln Square Liquor Ban.
The little-known liquor ban in the 9th precinct of Chicago’s 47th Ward has a long history, tracing back to 1907. It began when local residents successfully petitioned against alcohol sales. Their opposition was sparked by the potential arrival of the “Tyrolean Alps” amusement park and beer garden in the Ravenswood area of Lincoln Square. This local movement aligned with a broader temperance push spreading across Chicago at the time.
After Prohibition was repealed in 1933, the Illinois Liquor Control Act of 1934 allowed communities to continue restricting alcohol sales through local referendums. This preserved the ban in Lincoln Square’s 9th precinct, where some residents, especially those from conservative or religious groups, believed alcohol would lead to negative social outcomes. While much of Lincoln Square's German-American population was known for celebrating beer culture, a significant faction supported maintaining the dry district.
Now, in November 2024, local residents have the opportunity to revisit this outdated policy through a new vote, determining whether the ban will remain in place or be lifted.
