As we gear up for the big holiday weekend, Rockford leaders are taking steps to make sure we enjoy ourselves safely, and cracking down on local bar owners.

When bar patrons head out for a night on the town, the last thing they want to worry about is threats to their safety. But after five people are shot early Tuesday morning outside JT's Bourbon Street Bar and Grille, bar security is getting a closer look in Rockford.
"Are we more active and proactive in this arena? We're trying to be. So that we don't have to effect licenses and so that our citizens can feel safe," says Rockford's Legal Director Patrick Hayes.

Thursday morning Rockford's liquor commission held a hearing to weigh the future of JT's. The city has temporarily suspended JT's liquor license, saying this week's violence, along with a shooting in January, and allegedly serving liquor to a minor, all make the bar and restaurant a grave threat to the community.
While the owner, Anthony Foreman, expressed his sympathy for the shooting victims, he says the violence occurred outside his property, that he provides security and is cooperating with police.

JT's isn't the only business in Rockford feeling pressure from the city. Bar 3 had its license temporarily suspended in April, Thursday they were visited by city inspectors again and given "A clean bill of health to go ahead and operate," says the owner Dennis Clement, holding up a notice.
Bar 3's owner says the city expressed concern when they saw he was advertising a DJ show this weekend. Hayes says the inspection was a routine safety check, not an effort to target a specific entertainment style.
"People might judge that as some sort of reaction to hip-hop and it's not. What it's a reaction to is large crowds," says Hayes.
"Yeah I think the city has a legitimate concern. I have the same concerns," says Clement. "As a bar owner, you have to be responsible to try to run your venue in the safest possible manner."

City inspectors last suspended Bar 3's license ahead of a live hip-hop concert. The group said they were being unfairly targeted and threatened to sue. The suit has not moved forward.

The hearing for JT's liquor license was continued until Tuesday morning. At that time, city leaders will decide whether to reinstate the bar and restaurant's liquor license, extend the suspension, or revoke the license entirely.