Wheaton council asks for more information regarding happy hours

The Wheaton City Council asked for more information from city staff Monday to help decide whether the city code should be amended to allow for happy hours at local bars and restaurants.

In July, the Illinois Liquor Code was amended to allow for happy hours, which are periods of up to four hours per day when licensed establishments can offer discounted drinks.

The promotional period does not have to be for four consecutive hours. The number of hours that the discounted drinks are offered each week cannot exceed 15. In addition, the state's code amendment allows for the discounted sale of alcohol with meal, party and entertainment packages.

However, City Manager Don Rose said the city's current liquor control ordinance still bans happy hour sales.

"The home rule power of the city would allow us to keep that in effect if we so desire, or we could modify the provisions of the ordinance in accordance with the statutes," he said.

Rose said not many towns have been discussing the issue, although he said Naperville appears to be taking "a cautious approach." He added that it seems difficult to keep track and enforce all the provisions related to happy hour, including requiring licensees to give notice of the discount on premises or on their website at least seven days prior to the promotion period.

The city clerk has received inquires from a few people about happy hours, but Rose said it was "nothing too substantial yet."

There were several pieces of information the city council requested that they said would help them make a decision, including input from the police department and more details about any debate on the issue that occurred at the state level.

"I'd definitely be in favor of the staff looking into it more," Councilman Todd Scalzo said. "I think more information is always better."

Councilman John Prendiville and Councilwoman Suzanne Fitch said they weren't inclined to change the city's ordinance.

"I wouldn't be inclined to change anything unless we heard from the licensees ... that they thought that a change was needed," Fitch said. "I think we need a little more information about our regulations and how that impacts them."