Boozers at Pride Parade Might Soon Face Harsher Fines

If organizers and officials have their way, the days of the Chicago Gay Pride Parade being viewed as a rainbow-clad, drunken party are long gone. 

The City Council's Public Safety Committee unanimously voted Thursday morning to move forward an ordinance that would significantly increase the fines for those found to be drinking near parade routes anywhere in the city. 

The measure, sponsored by Ald. Matt O'Shea  (19th), was worked on by the South Side Irish Parade Committee, but could subsequently affect all parades in Chicago. Its drafters view it as another tool to curtail drinking at the famed parade. 

"I want our community to know that we are doing everything possible to make sure it remains a safe family friendly event, as it was last year," O'Shea said. "This ordinance is another tool in the police department's tool box."

The South Side Irish Parade returned to Western Avenue last year after a two-year absence. The committee has been careful to emphasize the neighborhood aspects of the event and a strict zero-tolerance policy when it comes to alcohol. 

It's a similar tune sung by some neighbors in Lake View regarding the Gay Pride parade.

That's why the Northalsted Business Alliance  plans to spend $30,000 this year on private security measures in Boystown, $5,000 more than Patch reported they spent in 2012. The money is used year-round, especially during summer, to help cut crime in the popular entertainment district, and it’s combined with Chicago Police’s new entertainment detail to curb crime in Lake View.  

The ordinance, if approved by the full council on Wednesday, will enhance fines for those cited for the following violations within 200 feet of a parade route:

• Drinking on the public way increases from a minimum of $100 and maximum of $500, to a minimum of $500 and maximum of $1,000
• Intoxication by a minor rises from $25 for the first violation and $100 for subsequent violations to $500 or 25 hours of community service
• Public urination or defecation will increase from a minimum of $100 and maximum of $500, to $500 and $1,000 respectively 

However, Ald. Tom Tunney (44th) told DNAinfo Chicago he’s not worried about the new ordinance having a great affect on the Pride Parade.

"I really defer to the police on how they manage that and figure out what's in the best value of their time in the limited resources we have,” he told DNAinfo.

And this is the first year Pride Fest slated for a separate weekend than the annual Pride parade, news Patch broke on Wednesday. Organizers say they plan to hold Chicago’s Pride festival the weekend before the annual parade, gearing up for a potential “Pride Week.”

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