The Cubs on Thursday accused Chicago City Council Alderman Tom Tunney of "'fronting' for Clark Street bars and tried a squeeze play that could pave the way for extended liquor sales at an open-air plaza adjacent" to Wrigley Field, according to Fran Spielman of the CHICAGO SUN-TIMES. Tunney "angered the Cubs with his attempt to roll back the team's ability to sell beer and wine from kiosks" to 9:00pm CT on weekdays and 10:00pm on weekends. The Cubs on Thursday "pulled the plug on months of negotiations with local bar owners and went around Tunney." Levy Restaurants applied for a patio permit "that would permit liquor sales on the year-round plaza for the extended hours included in Tunney’s original 2013 ordinance: until 11 p.m. on weekdays and midnight on weekends." The patio license "would also pave the way for the sale of mixed drinks in addition to beer and wine." Cubs VP/Communications & Community Affairs Julian Green said, "The time has come to move forward. We can’t afford to wait any longer. We’ve been having these discussions since 2014. We believe we should be able to compete fairly." Tunney in a statement released after the Cubs maneuver said that his "'number one priority' is ensuring the public safety and preserving the quality of life for neighbors and fans" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 5/6).
