Residents urge council to set conditions if large Western Avenue venue reopens

Marie Miniman, a Blue Island resident who lives at 12738 Greenwood Avenue, told the City Council during public comment that she expects the city will soon consider approving the reopening of a business at 13031–13057 Western Avenue and asked the council to consider strict conditions if it does. "The reopening of this business will bring much needed tax dollars to our community," Miniman said, but she said the venue previously generated large crowds that created parking shortages, trash and disruptive late-night activity.

Miniman described events at the location that she said happened within 100 feet of the neighborhood grammar school and a church, and said neighbors had found bullet casings and other evidence of violence. "Raven's has not been a good neighbor. They have closed their ears to the community," she said, and asked the council whether the city could require proof of complaint resolution, additional parking controls, or designated adult-entertainment districts.

Other public commenters echoed Miniman's concerns. Joe Murphy, who identified himself as associated with 3 Sisters restaurant, supported business development on Western Avenue but urged that any reopening include conditions that require the venue to "be a good neighbor." Anita Kenny, a Blue Island homeowner, said the city must weigh litigation risk if it seeks to block a reopening, and told the council that law enforcement and the liquor commission have been responsive to incidents in the past.

Resident John Staub urged the council to screen actions through what he called a "family friendly community" filter, citing alcohol and adult-oriented events as items the council should weigh in future permitting. Rudy Braback, a long-time resident, raised separate questions about late-night licenses at a liquor store on Prairie Street that he said has created fighting and garbage concerns.

Council members did not take formal action on the issue during the committee meeting. Several aldermen and the mayor heard the public comments and asked questions about possible regulatory tools, including targeted parking restrictions (Blue Island resident-sticker parking) and event-by-event limits. Staff noted that public safety response and liquor commission review are part of the city's enforcement toolbox, and commenters asked the council to consider stakeholder analysis, explicit neighborhood-focused conditions, and stronger incident reporting and remediation from the business owner.

The public comment period closed without a council vote; the matter may reappear on a future agenda if a formal license, ordinance amendment, or a council referral is filed.