U of I chancellor aims to cork drinking day

University of Illinois Chancellor Richard Herman wants Champaign to shut down an annual day of student drinking known as Unofficial St. Patrick's Day.

Local bars created the day, which this year will be Friday, to make up for money lost when St. Patrick's Day falls during spring break.

It traditionally includes daylong drinking. Champaign police handed out 149 alcohol-related citations last year.

Two years ago, 22-year-old University of Illinois graduate Caroline Yoon died in a fall off a motorcycle. Police said the accident was alcohol-related.

"Caroline Yoon would have turned 25 next month," Herman told the Champaign City Council late Tuesday, according to The (Champaign) News-Gazette. "She had an unforgettable face. She was an exceptional student and an exceptional human being."

Herman says the city should crack down on bars that are part of the day.

Mayor Jerry Schweighart said city police will be out in force for what's known locally as simply The Unofficial, and he has asked the city attorney whether he can require that people be 21 to enter bars. He also wants the council to consider stiffer penalties for bars where underage drinkers are caught.

But Schweighart dismissed Herman's suggestion to not allow bars to remain open until 5 p.m. That could lead to "beer riots," he said.