Gaslight's Stormy Run Ends In Oak Lawn When Liquor License Is Revoked

OAK LAWN, IL — The stormy, six-week run of the Gaslight, also known as On The Rocks, came to a conclusion Tuesday, when the Oak Lawn Liquor Licensing Commission, officially revoked the bar’s liquor license.

The village had been working to resolve issues and address neighbors’ complaints with the Gaslight’s new owner, Felicia Phillips. Since the bar’s grand opening July 10 at 95th Street , when a gun was reportedly displayed during an argument between two bartenders over shorted tips, the village has charged the Gaslight with 42 liquor code violations.

Mayor Terry Vorderer suspended the bar’s liquor license last week after a deadly crash claimed the life of a 66-year-old Calumet Park woman, allegedly caused by two Gaslight patrons suspected of being over served. Village officials reached an agreement with PJS Spirits Inc. and the license holder to relinquish the business and liquor license, and close the business. In exchange, Oak Lawn agreed to drop the charges and not impose fines, costs or other fees.

“It’s not the best solution, but a good one,” Vorderer told residents attending the liquor commission hearing. “It’s the best solution to a very bad problem.”

PJS Spirits was listed in state records as the licensee, until recently, when Phillips was added as the owner and president of the Gaslight.

Vorderer addressed criticism that he was letting the owners walk without facing financial liabilities. He said Phillips, and her son, Kevin Phillips, said to be running the new Gaslight, were walking away from a $40,000 investment spent remodeling the bar, and $6,000 for the liquor license.

“We got rid of a destructive business,” the mayor said. “The accountability will be decided outside this jurisdiction.”

Residents of the 9300 and 9400 blocks of Tulley, said they, too, had invested their own money on cameras and lighting for added security around their homes.

The family of Anita Chacon, who died in the Aug. 21 crash, and her son, Tomas, 30, who was critically injured, have hired attorneys who have launched their own investigation into the evening’s events.

Neighbors wanted to know if PJS Spirits, Phillips or her son would be able to reopen another business on the property.

“They’re done,” Vorderer said. “[The Phillips’] agreement is to not open any business in Oak Lawn. I’m assuming there will be a lot of entanglements.”

The mayor added that if Phillips were to apply for a license of any kind in Oak Lawn, there would be more scrutiny.

The Phillips attorney, David Courtright, told Patch that Phillips had corrected every violation raised at an earlier hearing on July 22.

“We don’t know how much these offenders were served or over served,” Courtright said.

While Felicia Phillips had been on the premises at some point in the evening of the accident, Courtright said, “my client wouldn't have recognized those offenders if they walked in.”

“She’s heartbroken,” the attorney added. “She didn’t have it in her to come today. She never thought anything she did would result in a tragedy.”

Vorderer said he’s already received inquiries from “legitimate entrepreneurs” to open a neighborhood restaurant or bar in the space.