Prohibition push is over …

One in a series of stories updating the events that made news in 2007.

The Prohibition era ended this year before voters in Forest River subdivision even had a chance to start it.

A small yet determined group of residents in Wheeling Township galvanized to ask voters last spring if they wanted to bar retail alcohol sales in their precinct.

But the residents ran out of determination -- and money -- when a judge said the question wouldn't count on April ballots due to a technicality: it failed to list the official company names of Dick's River Roadhouse and The Accent Cafe.

Count out 2008 as the year the unincorporated Cook County residents regroup for a second attempt.

It's mainly because of money. The effort has already cost residents $20,000 in legal fees, and they're not ready to spend more.

"Financially I don't think we're at the point again," said Jerry Busse, president of the Forest River Civic Association.

Perhaps you can chalk it up to the holidays, but Busse says he doesn't have the same gripes he once did.

Dick's River Roadhouse and The Accent Cafe, both on the 700 block of North River Road, have added fencing, which residents say helps reduce noise, traffic, parking and trespassing.

Representatives of both the Roadhouse and the Accent Cafe declined to comment.