First Lady Unveils Underage Alcohol Prevention Poster with Chicago Bears Safety Tony Parrish

CHICAGO -- Illinois First Lady Lura Lynn today unveiled a new poster designed to discourage underage drinking and alcohol sales to minors. Mrs. Ryan was joined by Chicago Bears safety Tony Parrish, Bears co-owners Ed and Virginia McCaskey and their son Pat at the unveiling in the James R. Thompson Center. Parrish abstains from drinking alcohol and is working with the Illinois Liquor Control Commission's Under 21 Program in the "Bear Down On Underage Sales" campaign. The poster will be sent to all of Illinois' liquor licensees. The laws and penalties of drinking underage and serving a minor are listed on the bottom of the poster.

Mrs. Ryan is co-chair for Futures for Kids which is a statewide resource created by Governor George Ryan for programs and policies related to the health, safety and education of infants, children and teenagers. As chair of the program, First Lady Lura Lynn Ryan works closely with youth and community leaders around the state to guarantee healthy, safe and bright futures for our children.

In addition to the Liquor Commission's "Under 21" program, Mrs. Ryan also has launched the "Be Real" campaign--an integrated social marketing program to capture the attention of youth and build positive social images of young people who are living drug- free lives. The program encourages youth to take pride in their talents, achievements and interests, while remaining alcohol, tobacco and drug free. This first-of-its-kind youth prevention program has teamed with the Illinois Drug Education Alliance (IDEA) to make Be Real the theme of Illinois' well-established Red Ribbon Week, October 22 - 28, 2001.

Also this fall, the Parrish poster will be displayed on the side of the WBBM-AM broadcast van outside Soldier Field during home games. The Commission will air 400 thirty-second underage alcohol prevention commercials throughout the Bears game broadcasts on WBBM-AM.

Additionally, Parrish has written a story about why he abstains from alcohol and it will be featured in a pamphlet available on Illinois college campuses this fall.

Parrish enters his fourth season with the Chicago Bears after being acquired in the 2nd round of the 1998 draft. He has started all 48 games and is the only Chicago Bear since 1980 to record 100 or more tackles in his first three seasons. He is the first Chicago defender since Hall of Fame linebacker Mike Singletary to rank among the top four Bears in tackles in each of his first three seasons.

The Illinois Liquor Control Commissionis the state regulatory agency that ensures that liquor licensees comply with the provisions of the Liquor Control Act. The Commission provides industry education programs, which focus on enforcement practices, interpretations of Illinois liquor control laws, reduction programs on illegal sales of alcoholic beverages to minors, and licensed training on responsible server and seller practices. In addition, the ILCC is also designated as the lead agency in developing a strategy for reducing the availability and delivery of tobacco products to minors.

For more information, call (312) 814-0706 or write to the Illinois Liquor Control Commission at 100 W. Randolph Street., Suite 5-300, Chicago, IL 60601, or on the web at www.state.il.us/lcc.