Alderman calls for closure of River North nightclub after mass shooti…

Chicago Ald. Brendan Reilly is urging city officials to shut down the Blüm restaurant and nightclub in River North, citing a mass shooting outside the business that occurred early Sunday morning and “chronic neighborhood complaints.”

Eight people were shot during a fight at approximately 2:38 a.m. outside in the 300 block of West Erie, according to Chicago police. In an email, Reilly, who represents the city’s 42nd Ward, wrote that he and residents have been sounding the alarm about the establishment for years – yet the city hasn’t taken action to discipline the club.

“Inexplicably, the city has allowed this nightclub to continue to operate, despite my prediction that it was just a matter of time before another shooting incident would occur,” he stated.

Reilly explained his office has been working to facilitate the sale of the building and to have Blüm shut down and evicted before the building is sold next month. According to the alderman, the Chicago Police…