Campton Hills outlaws minors in bars at night without parent

It's now illegal for minors to be anywhere near a bar stool in Campton Hills after 10 p.m.

That is, unless they're with a parent or guardian.

The village is notifying liquor license holders this week of a local ordinance change that now places stronger restrictions on how close underage patrons can get to areas designated for serving alcohol.

The measure is meant to combat underage drinking and was the result of a recommendation from the police department, Village President Patsy Smith said Wednesday. But some others worry it might be too restrictive.

"We already have laws against underage drinking so, in my view, it isn't necessary," said John Strauss, one of two trustees who voted against the law change last week. "It's a little too unfriendly for the village I'd like to have this be."

State law already prohibits minors from consuming alcohol, but the local liquor code previously set no limits on whether underage patrons buying food or some other service could be in the presence of alcohol sales. The revised ordinance makes it illegal for any minor to "sit, stand or otherwise be located at the bar" after 10 p.m. unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Currently, there are four restaurants that serve alcohol in Campton Hills but no taverns whose primary sales involve alcohol. By preventing minors from being anywhere near the bar area of a restaurant, Smith said, the village hopes to make it easier for servers to keep tabs on underage patrons, particularly at night when alcohol sales tend to increase.

"The problem is that after a certain period of time it turns more into a bar than a restaurant," Smith said.

Village trustee Al Lenkaitis Jr., who also voted against the revision, said he believes bar owners should decide how they want their businesses to operate, as long as no existing laws are being broken. Lenkaitis added that he spoke with several business owners and found they agreed.

"They were of the opinion the current rules worked," he said. "And I was of the opinion it should be up to them."

Both Lenkaitis and Strauss said they were less opposed to the law change once the village board added the 10 p.m. cutoff time. Strauss added that it's important children be allowed to dine with their families and without much hassle.

"(The new rule) is restrictive in my view," Strauss said. "And restrictive doesn't always mean better."