Naperville weighs bar ordinance to curb rowdy partying

NAPERVILLE, Ill. (WLS) -- Naperville city council members are weeks away from a decision that could close bars earlier to curb rowdy partying in the western suburb. ABC7 obtained video that could convince them to move up last-calls for alcohol.

Naperville's mayor says he has seen the video, which was shot in June. He says police are looking into it to try to find the cause. However, he says he believes the root cause is late-night drinking, and the proposed ordinance is aimed at limiting that.

The video is not likely to be featured on Naperville's Chamber of Commerce website. It shows a late night brawl in the street in the middle of downtown. Young men - mostly intoxicated - throwing punches, chasing each other, and at one point taking down a police officer who tries to intervene. Another officer uses a stun gun to neutralize the suspects.

It is a stark example of why city council members are considering cracking down on late-night drinking.

"It's a vibrant downtown and we want to keep it that way, but we also want to keep it safe," said Naperville Mayor George Pradel.

Naperville city council members discussed the proposed ordinance Tuesday night. The proposal would limit the size beer bars could serve, prohibit patrons from entering an hour before closing, and keep bars from serving shots in the final hour of business. It would also limit drink specials and mandate training for security staff. The manager at Quigley's says they've already adopted those rules.

"It addresses some binge drinking, curtails some of the bar hopping, I know that was a big concern and one the ordinance's looking at," said Andy Nosek, Quigley's manager.

Naperville officials say they were already considering the changes in the wake of the stabbing death of Naperville second grade teacher Shaun Wild. Then two 21-year-old Naperville men drown in a quarry lake in July. They were trapped in a car driven by their friend Michael Szot, who had allegedly been drinking at a downtown bar before the crash. He's been charged with several counts of aggravated DUI. df

"That's not the image we have of Naperville," said Pradel.

ABC7's John Garcia asks, "You don't think it will hurt business?"

"It will bring Naperville back to Naperville. One of the councilmen last night said he wanted his town back, and I couldn't agree more," said Nosek.

Many of the proposals in the ordinance are listed in a booklet handed out to restaurant and bar owners called "Best Practices for Safe Celebrating in Naperville."

City council members heard the proposed ordinance Tuesday night and are scheduled to vote on it in two weeks.