Chicago alderman wants restaurant shut down after deadly shooting, says owners were 'dishonest'

CHICAGO - Some local leaders are calling on the city to shut down a newly opened restaurant in River North following a mass shooting outside the venue. 

They are demanding accountability when it comes to regulating area businesses, as this marks the second fatal shooting at the same address in recent years. 

The backstory:

The latest incident outside Artis Restaurant and Lounge—located in a high-traffic area of River North near Chicago Avenue and Orleans Street—late Wednesday night left four people dead and 14 others wounded.

It’s the second fatal shooting at that address in less than three years. In November 2022, one person was killed and three others were hurt outside what was then Hush Lounge at 311 West Chicago Avenue.  

Following the fatal shooting in 2022, Hush was shut down when the Chicago Police Department and Alderman Brendan Reilly’s (42nd Ward) office issued a summary closure and revoked its liquor license, Reilly said in a statement released Thursday afternoon.

Reilly later put a moratorium on late-hour liquor licenses in the 42nd Ward, blocking a new nightclub from opening at the site. However, Artis recently opened as a BYOB restaurant.

What we know:

On Wednesday night, someone inside a dark-colored vehicle opened fire on a large group of people gathered outside Artis, where a private listening party was being held for Chicago rapper Mello Buckzz.

The vehicle fled the scene immediately after the shooting, which left 18 people shot, four of them fatally. No one is in custody and Chicago police are still investigating.

What they're saying:

In Thursday's statement, Reilly called on the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) to immediately revoke Artis' business license and close the space, saying the owners were dishonest with the city about their plans for the venue.

"Despite early assurances from the new restaurant owner that this venue would support local artisans, foster inclusivity, and serve as a hub for connection, creativity, and joy—the owners decided to turn over their venue to promote a new rap album release," Reilly said. "It is clear the new operators were dishonest with the City about their plans for the venue and have now contributed to a devastating act of violence—just weeks after opening as a BYOB 'restaurant.'"

On Wednesday night, dozens gathered inside the space, which only carries a 'Retail Food Establishment' license, not a 'Tavern' (liquor) license or a 'Public Space of Amusement' license that is required for most events, especially where liquor is being sold.

Female rapper Mello Buckzz posted a flyer for the event beforehand, writing that 'food and drinks' would be 'available for purchase' at her album release party.

City leaders gave an update on the shooting during a press conference Thursday afternoon, where Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling confirmed a summary closure had been issued to Artis.

"It is safe to say this venue was targeted," Snelling said. "They didn't care who was struck and in a matter of seconds, they were able to shoot 18 people. Let's call it was it is, it was deplorable and cowardly."

"It's still early, we still need to do a full investigation," he added. "However, right now there is a summary closure. I believe that's the right thing to do at this very moment just to ensure that while we're doing this investigation nothing else happens. It's all a part of the investigation."

The other side:

Mayor Brandon Johnson struck a different tone than Reilly, praising Artis' owners for their "thoughtfulness" and defending the venue’s original purpose.

"What we do know about this business and this establishment, this was a business that, quite frankly, was a restaurant that was a safe space in particular for the LGBTQ+ community. In fact, if I understand their structure, this was one of those 'bring-your-own' if you will establishments," Johnson said.

"So do we have an opportunity to look more strategically around how venues are rented out? Of course, we're always going to look towards finding ways in which we can ensure safety in all of our establishments. But I want to be absolutely clear that this was not a club, it was a restaurant. The owners have demonstrated a great deal of thoughtfulness around just their business plan and ideal and its motivation. And as a body of government, it's always useful for us to figure out ways in which we can innovate, retool or reconsider our approach to make sure that we do everything in our power to eliminate these types of incidents from occurring."

What's next:

Reilly said he and fellow Ald. Scott Waguespack have pursued an ordinance that would regulate events held at nightclubs, where owners "simply hand the keys to the promoters to do as they wish." He added that his office and Chicago police are now taking steps to prevent the venue from reopening following Wednesday night's shooting.

"We will continue to work closely with CPD, BACP and the Department of Law to use every enforcement tool available to ensure this business never reopens," Reilly said.

FOX 32 Chicago reached out to BACP for comment, but did not immediately hear back.

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