A Chicago bar that hosted a pro-Trump rally in November has been closed indefinitely by the city after being accused of violating its coronavirus restrictions on large gatherings.
Firewater Saloon allegedly hosted 99 people in support of former President Donald Trump, according to the Chicago Tribune. The rally attracted high-profile attendees, including Fraternal Order of Police President John Catanzara, former Republican Senate candidate Mark Curran, and former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
Chicago’s department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection said the bar will not be allowed to reopen until the agency signs off on a “plan to safely reopen.”
Chicago’s restrictions limit social gatherings to six people and requests all such gatherings end by 10 p.m.
Firewater Saloon was cited on a separate violation in its second location in 2020 after being accused of allowing indoor dining, which is restricted in the city.
Over the weekend, BACP conducted 107 investigations and cited 13 businesses for COVID-19 violations. Since March, the agency has conducted more than 8,000 investigations, issuing citations to over 400 businesses for breaking public health rules.
Cook County, which includes Chicago, has had over 430,000 cases and more than 9,000 deaths.
Illinois has had over 1 million COVID-19 cases and over 20,000 deaths.
Firewater Saloon did not immediately return a request for comment.
