Jazz Club Fined for Outdoor Piano as Community Debate Intensifies
Le Piano, a popular jazz club in Rogers Park, has been fined $5,000 by the City of Chicago after
a grand piano placed outside the venue was deemed improperly located on a pedestrian-only
street. The piano was part of the club’s outdoor live music setup on Glenwood Avenue, a block
closed to vehicle traffic since 2021 as part of the city’s Chicago Alfresco program.
a grand piano placed outside the venue was deemed improperly located on a pedestrian-only
street. The piano was part of the club’s outdoor live music setup on Glenwood Avenue, a block
closed to vehicle traffic since 2021 as part of the city’s Chicago Alfresco program.
According to club owner Chad Willetts, the citation came unexpectedly and reflects broader
issues with how the city manages its relationship with small businesses and cultural venues.
Willetts, a longtime musician and leader of the Chad Willetts Quartet, helped lead the original
application that converted the block into a pedestrian area. He said the piano had regularly
supported public performances and events. “A lost opportunity to bring cultural nutrition through
art and music to Rogers Park and the city writ large,” he remarked.
The club, located at 6970 N. Glenwood Ave., opened in late 2018 and has since become a
neighborhood fixture. Known for offering live jazz seven nights a week, the venue has been
called a unique and immersive experience.
Willetts’ efforts to animate the area have gone beyond music, including the addition of outdoor
furniture, murals, decorative lighting, and plans for a Frank Sinatra-themed fountain. He noted
that other businesses on the block have placed large barrels outside without receiving citations,
despite occupying more space than the piano.
The fine comes amid ongoing community development efforts along Glenwood Avenue. The
Glenwood Alfresco program has supported outdoor dining, events, and festivals such as the
Glenwood Avenue Arts Festival and Glenwood Sunday Market. Cobblestone streets and
surrounding murals have helped shape a distinct cultural identity for the area.
Alderwoman Maria Hadden, who represents the 49th Ward, has played a central role in policies
involving Glenwood Avenue. In October 2024, she introduced redesign plans for the street, with
reconstruction set to begin in 2025. Some local business owners worry these changes could
disrupt the pedestrian-friendly zone that includes Le Piano and similar venues.
Hadden has faced criticism in the community over allegations of favoritism toward certain
businesses and concerns about transparency. Some small business owners have expressed fear of
retaliation when voicing concerns, citing examples such as unexpected inspections and threats
related to signage or licensing.
Additionally, Hadden has been involved in past ethics complaints regarding political donations
and regulatory changes that benefitted specific businesses. Critics have also raised concerns
about the tone of discourse on her official social media platforms.
about the tone of discourse on her official social media platforms.
Since taking office in 2019, Hadden’s leadership has sparked debate amid rising public safety
and economic concerns in the ward. Some longtime residents have pointed to increases in crime,
homelessness, and business closures as indicators of neighborhood decline.
“This community deserves real leadership and cultural support, not punitive actions against
venues that bring life to our streets,” said Willetts, reflecting on the challenges his club and
others face under current city policy.
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