Unlicensed sale of liquor at parties could result in $1,000 fine in Elgin
If you're planning to host parties where you charge people at the door and serve alcohol without a liquor license, get ready to risk a minimum $1,000 fine from the city of Elgin.
The liquor control commission approved increasing fines for selling alcohol without a license, which currently range from $50 to $750, with $50 typical for first-time offenders. The new ordinance also would establish a $2,000 fine for second-time offenders.
The commission's decision this week will need final approval by the city council, whose nine members are also liquor commissioners, before the changes take effect. That likely will happen at the next council meeting Aug. 24.
Councilwoman Carol Rauschenberger asked if the fine would apply to people who serve liquor at a party and ask guests to pitch in to cover their costs.
That's a different situation, Corporation Counsel Bill Cogley said. Parties that would get fined are the ones with a cover charge at the door akin to an admission fee, he said. "That's a subterfuge for the sale of alcohol without a license."
Fines for selling alcohol without a license are rare in Elgin, because typically those involved in such parties are cited with serving alcohol to minors - usually $500 for a first offense - Deputy Police Chief Bill Wolf said.
The last time a resident was cited for selling liquor without a license was in March 2015 when police responded to a call for loud music at a party, Wolf said. At the party, the hosts had a keg and were charging for beer by the cup.
In 2013, the owner of the now-closed La Quebrada restaurant in downtown Elgin was cited after his liquor license was revoked and he served alcohol at a private party at the restaurant, Wolf said.
In 2012, a convenience store on Villa Street that didn't have a license to sell alcohol was cited when a detective who went there on an unrelated matter noticed liquor bottles behind the counter, he said.
The fine increase comes after Councilman John Prigge prompted the commission to review the current ordinance.
"It's something that kind of fell through the cracks," Mayor David Kaptain said.