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BYOB, other changes made in Geneva liquor laws

A recent overhaul of the Geneva liquor law will let people legally bring their own wine to restaurants.

It is one of several changes made in the first comprehensive review of the liquor code since the 1970s.

Dry restaurants that want to allow patrons to bring their own wine will have to have a corkage license, which costs $250 a year. Their staff will have to undergo the same alcohol service training required of employees of restaurants and taverns that sell alcohol. Restaurants that have liquor licenses won't have to obtain a corkage license.

The revised code also now allows businesses to get liquor licenses for special events such as a jewelry store having a sales event where champagne is served.

The code also requires alcohol servers and sellers to specifically take BASSET training. The city used to also accept TIPS training. BASSET stands for Beverage Alcohol Sellers and Servers Education Training, and TIPS is Training for Intervention Procedures. The Illinois Liquor Commission designs the BASSET course, covering topics such as properties of alcohol, signs of intoxication, authenticating identification and dramshop liability.

The liquor code was enacted in 1975. It has been amended piecemeal since then.