7-11 Liquor License Battle Heats Up

GET THE PETITION! COPY IT, PRINT IT, CIRCULATE IT AMONG YOUR NEIGHBORS. For more info, see PETITION AGAINST 7-11 LIQUOR LICENSE

The 7-11 convenience store at N. Glenwood and W. Pratt in Rogers Park, Chicago wants to sell liquor. The Bench urges all neighbors to oppose their application. The store is just a few hundred feet from an elementary school and is situated between two of the most confusing intersections in Chicago. The Chicago City Council must pass an ordinance lifting the moratorium before franchise owner Mr. Sayed can apply for the license. Mr. Sayed's 7-Eleven store would be the only business affected by the lifting of the moratorium.

This particular 7-11 stopped selling Lottery tickets several years ago because it "caused too many problems" for the store. We wonder how naive the owner must be to think that selling booze will not cause problems. All one has to do is spend a few minutes observing Soo Liquors on Morse Avenue to see what kind of problems could soon visit 7-11 at Pratt and Glenwood. Isn't 7-11 obligated to have a public notice posted in their window? Well, they don't. Just pro-license propaganda (photo) at checkout.

There is a sick irony to the flyer that clerks have been ordered to hand out to customers at this 7-11. Click on the photo here to see a larger image of it. The flyer says that there will be a community meeting about the license just one short block away at Lakeshore School, at N. Greenview and W. Pratt. Children walk through the 7-11 parking lot on their way to and from the Lakeshore School, as well as to and from nearby Kilmer and Sullivan schools.

Do you really want those kids bumping into more drunks while they're trying to get to school? Do we really want liquor sales within a thousand feet of Lakeshore School? The Bench has documented on video the fact that very few sober drivers do not stop at the stop sign right in front of Lakeshore School. Add to that mix a bunch of people hurrying to get another hit of booze on their way home, or to or from a party.

The liquor license will bring in a whole new type of traffic, on foot and in cars. Suddenly, people jonesing for one more 40 ouncer or a six pack to cap off a night of drinking will be swerving into - and out of - the parking lot on busy Pratt Avenue. Come to the meeting, Neighbor, and speak against this outrage.

ALSO SEE: DANGEROUS SCHOOL INTERSECTION
* 7-11 Wants to Sell Booze (at Broken Heart)