Liquor Control Commission February Compliance Report

SPRINGFIELD - In February the Illinois Liquor Control Commission (ILCC) conducted compliance checks around the state and visited 73 businesses licensed to sell liquor.  They cited 15 licensees for violations of liquor control laws.  Seventy-nine percent of the licensees visited complied with Illinois liquor laws and refused to serve underage customers.

This report is a result of ongoing undercover and cooperative law enforcement operations conducted by Illinois Liquor Control Commission (ILCC) agents and local law enforcement officials and volunteers from high schools and colleges.  The teams randomly visit liquor stores, restaurants and bars in communities around the state to check for ongoing compliance with state laws mandating that no liquor is sold to minors under the age of 21. ILCC agents also work with local and state law enforcement agents to focus on communities with a high incidence of underage liquor sales.

Effingham and Fayette Counties - On February 25th, 2010 ILCC Special Agents and the Illinois State Police conducted alcohol underage compliance checks in Effingham and Fayette Counties. Of the 19 licensees checked 4 were in violation of selling alcohol to ILCC underage participants. Those 4 were;

• Rancho Nuevo, 1433 N 5th, Vandalia
• Wise Guys of Vandalia Inc., 401 W. Gallatin, Vandalia
• Pizza Hut # 2830, 1602 N. 8th, Vandalia
• Sporty's Beverage Connection, 8745 N. 300th, Altamont

Evanston - On February 24, 2010, ILCC Special Agents and the Evanston Police Department conducted alcohol underage compliance checks in the Evanston area. There were 22 licensees checked and 5 were in violation of selling alcohol to ILCC underage participants. Those licensees were;

• The Keg, 810 Grove St., Evanston
• The Blue Stone, 1932 Central Ave. Evanston
• Merle's Smokehouse, 1727 Benson, Evanston
• Osco Drug, 1128 Chicago Ave., Evanston
• Evanston 1st Liquors, 1019 Davis, St. Evanston

Jackson County - On February 4, 2010, ILCC Special Agents, Murphysboro Police Department, Jackson County Sheriff's Department and the Illinois State Police conducted underage alcohol checks in Jackson County. There were 26 licensees checked and 5 licensees were in violation of selling alcohol to ILCC underage participants.  Those licensees were:

• Sergio's Mexican Restaurant, 203 N. Williams, St. Murphysboro
• Cat's Place, 1017 N. 14th, Murphysboro
• G & W Lounge, 12 N. 13th, Murphysboro
• La Palmita, 13693 Hwy 149, Murphysboro
• Pinch Penny Liquors, 700 E. Grand Ave., Carbondale

Marion County - On February 4, 2010, ILCC Special Agents and the Illinois State Police conducted alcohol underage compliance checks in the Marion County Area. There were 22 licensees checked and 4 were in violation of selling alcohol to ILCC underage participants. Those licensees were:

• Bears Liquor, 114 W. Green, Centralia
• Blue Goose Liquor363 E. 17th, Centralia
• Centralia Food & Gas Inc., 609 E. 15th,  Centralia
• Casey General Store # 1871, 908 E. Noleman, Centralia

Peoria - On February 4, 2010, ILCC Special Agents and the Illinois State Police conducted alcohol underage compliance checks in the Peoria and Pekin area. There were 9 licensees checked and 3 were in violation of selling alcohol to ILCC underage participants. Those licensees were;

• Hoops Pub & Pizza, 516 Main St., Peoria
• Martinin's on Water Street, 212 SW Water St, Peoria
• Goodfellas Pub & Pizza, 1414 N. 8th St., Pekin

 Sandwich - On February 18, 2010, ILCC Special Agents and the Sandwich Police Department conducted alcohol underage compliance checks in the Sandwich area. There were 10 licensees checked and two were in violation of selling alcohol to ILCC underage participants. Those licensees were:

• Olde Time Inn 109 S. Main, Sandwich
• Bacaba Liquors, 304 W. Church, Sandwich

Will County - On February 4, 2010, ILCC Special Agents and the Illinois State Police conducted underage alcohol compliance checks in Will County. There were 6 licensees checked and one of those was in violation of selling alcohol to ILCC underage participants. That licensee was:

• Morgan's Thunderbowl, 18700 Old La Grange RD., Mokena

For information about the disposition of cases resulting from previous compliance checks, please visit the Illinois Liquor Control Commission's website.