Batavia mayor: Chuck E. Cheese fails liquor sales check

Chuck E. Cheese in Batavia is in trouble again over liquor.

It sold alcohol to an underage, undercover agent last week, according to Batavia Mayor Jeff Schielke.

Schielke disgustedly announced Monday night that four establishments failed the undercover check, which was conducted by Batavia police and the Illinois Liquor Commission.

The restaurant, at 511 N. Randall Road, was cited in March 2009 for selling to minors.

Schielke, who is the city's liquor commissioner, also incredulously announced that one store failed twice last week.

"That's kind of unheard of," Schielke said.

The owner of that business, Tinu's Liquors, stipulated to the charge and paid a $2,000 fine Monday afternoon. That's because the business is being sold this week. Monday night the city council was scheduled to vote on transferring its liquor license to the new owner, and the mayor told the current owner that he was thinking about pulling the item off the agenda due to the alleged violation. If the license wasn't transferred, the sale probably would have been delayed or canceled, the mayor said.

The other three businesses will have hearings before the mayor, who is the city's liquor commissioner.

"Unfortunately, we have some repeat offenders here," he said, referring to Chuck E. Cheese.

As for new licensees: If they break the law, "They had better be prepared to fully pay the penalty, because we don't fool around here."

Teenage agents, accompanied by agents from the police and the Illinois Liquor Commission, were also sold alcohol at K.L. Liquors and Pantry, 1351 Wind Energy Pass; and River Square Liquors, 415 E. Wilson St.

The check waqs conducted by Batavia police and the Illinois Liquor Commission. The ILC supplied four undercover agents - three of whom are age 19 and one who is 18. All presented their own Illinois-issued identification when asked.

"It is so obvious!" said Alderman Lisa Clark, noting that the Illinois driver's licenses and ID cards are vertically oriented for people under age 21, plus have "Under 21" stamped on them. Licenses and IDs for people over 21 are horizontal.

Workers who served the alcohol were given Batavia tickets. Their names were not announced Monday night.

The police and ILC were unable to check every business that night, so will return sometime soon to check another six businesses, Schielke said.