Why Elburn tavern could lose license

Elburn Police Chief James Linane is accusing a downtown pub of running an illegal gambling game tied to the Super Bowl.

The accusation could cost Emma's Pub and Cantina, 117 N. Main St., its liquor license.

A hearing before the liquor commissioner -- Village President James Willey -- is been scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday at the village hall, 301 E. North St.

On Feb. 1 police received a complaint Michael A. Alvarez, who police say is the manager of Emma's, was running and accepting money for several "squares" games -- including one that featured 100 squares at $600 an entry.

Police say employees of the business also played and accepted money for the game.

The liquor license is in the name of a corporation owned by Alvarez's wife, Kathleen. Kathleen Alvarez indicated in her application she would not have a manager, Elburn police say. But at a May 2007 village board meeting about changes to the restaurant, Michael Alvarez said he was the manager, according to police.

Michael Alvarez was convicted in the late 1988 in DuPage County on charges of keeping a gambling place and conducting syndicated gambling. He was also convicted in 1996 on charges of syndicated gambling in DuPage County, for which he spent four years in state prison, Elburn police say. DuPage County court records list the date of that conviction as 1995.

License holders are not allowed to have felony convictions nor have their establishments managed by people who have felony convictions.

There are no criminal charges against the Alvarezes, according to Elburn police.

Under Elburn law, gambling is a reason for immediate revocation of a liquor license.

The business -- opened in November 2006 -- has a license to sell drinks and packaged liquor.

Kathleen Alvarez did not return calls for comment.