St. Patrick's Day is Sunday, but some folks and business owners are trying to turn this into a three-day holiday. For some, that might mean a three-day drinking binge.
Butch McGuire's on Division and Dearborn was packed by 5 o'clock Friday, nearly two days before St. Patrick's Day.
"It's kind of a very traditional holiday for a lot of people," says Butch McGuire owner Bobby McGuire. "They plan ahead, they make it a big weekend."
The people are loving the "holiday" weekend.
"Wonderful. Woo!!" bar patron Dan James says. "Tons of crazy ladies screaming in your ear all weekend long."
Celebrating the Irish holiday also means plenty of drinks will be flowing. Some bars offering multiple pub crawls throughout the weekend.
Bar owners say the holiday isn't as rough as you may think.
"If we have the right people working, the right amount of people working, then we leave the problems outside," McGuire says. "They don't come through the front door."
If violence or lewdness spills out, many areas around Chicago's north side are stepping up patrols.
Aldermen, like Bob Fioretti say the goal is to take care of one another and to make no one is out there drinking and driving.
"St Patrick's Day is actually the day that Saint Patrick died on, so it's in honor of him. We don't want any deaths here in the city," Fioretti says. "The word is out that you've got to be careful out there and I hope people live up to it."
Thursday, June 13 2013 1:45 PM EDT2013-06-13 17:45:09 GMT
Even a fire hydrant is feeling the Blackhawks spirit, especially after Chicago's midnight victory over the Boston Bruins at the United Center in triple overtime.
Even a fire hydrant is feeling the Blackhawks spirit, especially after Chicago's midnight victory over the Boston Bruins at the United Center in triple overtime.
Wednesday, June 12 2013 9:55 PM EDT2013-06-13 01:55:01 GMT
Forecasters say hot weather could give way to violent storms across parts of Illinois and are warning residents to be prepared for strong winds, hail and even tornadoes.
Forecasters say hot weather could give way to violent storms across parts of Illinois and are warning residents to be prepared for strong winds, hail and even tornadoes.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 12:53 PM EDT2013-06-19 16:53:49 GMT
Police on Tuesday said they are looking for a maroon Hyundai Sonata that fatally struck a woman in a Bridgeport hit-and-run last week on the South Side.
Police on Tuesday said they are looking for a maroon Hyundai Sonata that fatally struck a woman in a Bridgeport hit-and-run last week on the South Side.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 12:04 PM EDT2013-06-19 16:04:44 GMT
A man previously convicted of sex trafficking in Cook County has been charged again, this time for allegedly kidnapping a Minnesota woman and bringing her to Chicago to work in the sex trade.
A man previously convicted of sex trafficking in Cook County has been charged again, this time for allegedly kidnapping a Minnesota woman and bringing her to Chicago to work in the sex trade.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 10:36 AM EDT2013-06-19 14:36:33 GMT
After collecting tens of thousands of dollars for themselves on Wednesday, members of the General Assembly plan to kick the can of public employee pension reform down the road for at least one more month.
After collecting tens of thousands of dollars for themselves on Wednesday, members of the General Assembly plan to kick the can of public employee pension reform down the road for at least one more month.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:48 AM EDT2013-06-19 13:48:27 GMT
The body of a white male was found floating in Lake Michigan off the 39th Street beach Wednesday morning. Neither the age nor the identity of the man have been confirmed by Chicago police.
The body of a white male was found floating in Lake Michigan off the 39th Street beach Wednesday morning. Neither the age nor the identity of the man have been confirmed by Chicago police.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:44 AM EDT2013-06-19 13:44:38 GMT
Chicago is at the tipping point, as the showdown continues over CPS closings. The final bell will ring for more than half of the public schools scheduled to close on Friday, under CPS' reorganization plan.
Chicago is at the tipping point, as the showdown continues over CPS closings. The final bell will ring for more than half of the public schools scheduled to close on Friday, under CPS' reorganization plan.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 10:12 PM EDT2013-06-19 02:12:41 GMT
Chicago Public Schools wrap up classes this week, and that means some of the schools will only be open for a few more days before they are closed as part of the CPS 5-year reorganization plan.
Chicago Public Schools wrap up classes this week, and that means some of the schools will only be open for a few more days before they are closed as part of the CPS 5-year reorganization plan.
