Mount Prospect eases gaming rules for restaurants, adds wineries to liquor class

Mount Prospect trustees voted this week to change the village’s liquor code, eliminating a one-year waiting period for restaurant liquor license holders to apply for video gambling.

Trustees at Tuesday’s meeting also expanded a liquor license classification that covers craft breweries and distilleries to include wineries.

The one-year waiting period was intended to prevent new businesses from serving as gambling vehicles rather than functioning as legitimate restaurants, Village Attorney Lance Malina said.

But the rule created difficulties for existing businesses changing ownership, he said. Under village law, a change in more than half a business’ ownership calls for a new liquor license.

That starts the clock on the one-year waiting period for gambling, even if the machines are up and running.

Malina said the board wanted to create a rule to ensure the restaurant is a viable operation for a year before it can include gambling.

“I think this is an unnecessary regulation,” Trustee Terri Gens said. “We should be encouraging businesses. To keep this waiting period would penalize a new business owner, and we should be supporting them.”

The village will retain authority to review and approve both liquor and gambling licenses.

The change to the liquor license classification, which already covers craft breweries and distilleries, will now include wineries.

It will allow Two Eagles Distillery in Mount Prospect to produce locally made vermouth — a fortified wine — for use in cocktails.

“If anyone is familiar with vermouth, it is typically used in martinis, Manhattans, things of that nature, and there is a strong demand for a locally made vermouth,” Two Eagles Operations Manager Jesse Zien said.