Liquor licenses

Wonder why that beautiful new nightspot that looks like it’s been about to open for a couple of months still hasn’t opened? Probably waiting for a liquor license. Talk to anyone who’s ever tried to open a venue with a license in Chicago and you’ll hear the same nightmarish stories of a costly and capricious process that often spills thousands of dollars in red ink as entrepreneurs play guessing games as to the process and timing. Why not let the marketplace decide? Grant licenses in an auction process, with the highest bidder always getting the next license, and an expedited review of background and facility, as required. Then businesses will at least feel like they have control over their own destiny, rather than wondering if they’ve failed to grease the right palms, or worse.

Audience choice
CTA

Audience Comments: “it’s bad enough I haven’t seen the real color of a CTA train in years due to a thick layer of ads. And that hologram in the blue line. I wouldn’t mind riding the SONY line or the Dunkin Donuts line”; “Since these things are done to make the most $ with no regard to the impact on the folks that use them, maximum impact by selling the CTA – Imagine $5 fares!”

Best of Chicago 2008