A "little-known bureaucrat," Winston Mardis, has made it immensely difficult to obtain a liquor license of any sort in the City of Chicago, apparently at the behest of the Mayor. Don't they realize -- this is a steak and martini town! Apparently, the 43rd Ward (Lincoln Park) hasn't issued a tavern license in a decade. Originally stricter licenses were needed because mobsters were fond of using bars as a way to wash money; now it's because Daley wants a family town. Well, too bad: everybody knows conventioneers always move to vice-ier pastures.