W E D N E S D A Y
March 14, 2018 Vol. 38, No. 34 ONE DOLLAR
JOURNAL
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of Oak Park and River Forest
Beer Shop in doghouse over pet policy Village ordinance says, “No dogs allowed” By TIMOTHY INKLEBARGER Staff Reporter
An Oak Park bar with a proclivity for pooches has been ordered by the village to put visits from Fido on hold until the Board of Health can determine whether dogs should be allowed to enter a locality where food and beverages are consumed. BeerShop, 1026 North Blvd., has encouraged customers to bring their dogs to the craft-beer drinking establishment since it opened its doors in 2015 and has held multiple dog-friendly events like the “Puppy Paw-ty!” in 2016 — a birthday party for Beer Shop “regular” Roxy the beagle. In 2017, Beer Shop also promoted events like “Puppies ’N’ Pints,” which contributed 10 percent of sales to the Animal Care League, and “Santa & Me! Featuring 6 Mutts Chicago,” giving patrons the chance to bring their dogs in for a complimentary photo with Santa Claus. The business has run afoul of the ordinance prohibiting dogs in a bar for years with no complaints and customers seem to love it. More than a dozen testimonials on the Beer Shop’s Facebook page note the open-door dog See BEER SHOP on page 12
Fire away
ALEXA ROGALS/Staff Photographer
A player from the Oak Park Fire Department team puts up a shot last Saturday during the Battle of the Badges basketball game against the police department at Percy Julian Middle School. More photos on page 19.
‘Rowdy funerals’ a growing problem County to establish task force to address chaotic processions
By TIMOTHY INKLEBARGER and NONA TEPPER Staff Reporters
Chicago’s gang-violence problem has spread to the funeral processions and burials of slain gang members, and both law enforcement and elected officials are
working to curb the trend. The processions, which often begin in Chicago and travel through the western suburbs to cemeteries in the village of Hillside, are described by police as chaotic scenes, where gang members drive erratically, hang out of car windows,
threaten other motorists and, at times, discharge firearms. Police in Oak Park, Forest Park, Hillside and elsewhere are frequently alerted by Chicago police and funeral home diSee FUNERALS on page 13