Villa Park rejects request for extending liquor hours

Football fans will have to continue to wait until noon on Sundays to get their alcohol in Villa Park.

In a split vote, Villa Park trustees recently rejected Jewel-Osco's request to amend liquor laws to allow alcohol sales to start two hours earlier on Sundays. Historically, liquor sales have been prohibited before noon Sundays in DuPage County.

Trustees Al Bulthuis, Dave Hegland and Tom Cullerton voted against the request.

"The last thing I want Villa Park to be known for is early Sunday liquor (sales)," Cullerton said. "It's just not something that needs to be done at this point."

Village President Joyce Stupegia and trustees John Davis and Jeff Blankensop supported the request.

"I don't think it's going to hurt the village," Davis said. "I don't think it's going to destroy our town. We need to stop this nanny government, where we have to look over everybody's shoulders."

A Jewel representative said the company is making the request in several suburban towns but couldn't confirm which ones. It's unknown whether the grocer will ask Villa Park officials to reconsider the decision.