Plan to close East St. Louis clubs early fades

EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. — East St. Louis' mayor says he's backing away from a plan that would have closed the city's nightclubs earlier each morning, saying such a move would cost too much revenue.

Alvin Parks and others have been weighing the earlier closings of the city's nightclubs, taverns, beer gardens or package liquor stores since March, saying it might be a way to cut crime.

Authorities have said people come to East St. Louis after many St. Louis bars and clubs close at 1 a.m. About 20 clubs and bars in East St. Louis remain open until 3 a.m. or later.

Parks says the security levels at such businesses will dictate which ones can stay open as usual.

The mayor believes that the businesses and their employees help support the community by the taxes they pay.

 

 

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