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An Ordinance Amending Chapter 3 (“Alcoholic Liquor Dealers”) of the Oak Park Village Code to Update and Streamline Various Provisions Pertaining to the Regulation of Local Businesses and Consumption of Alcoholic Beverages
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Introduction
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The Liquor Control Review Board is proposing an ordinance to update and streamline various provisions contained in Chapter 3 (“Alcoholic Liquor Dealers”) of the Oak Park Village Code.
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Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the Village Board adopt the ordinance.
Prior Board Action
There is no prior Board action associated with this item.
Background
Updates to Chapter 3 (“Alcoholic Liquor Dealers”) of the Oak Park Village Code have been made in a piecemeal fashion that usually aligned with a particular liquor license application before the Liquor Control Review Board.
In 2024, the Development Services Department decided to take a comprehensive look at Chapter 3 (“Alcoholic Liquor Dealers”) of the Village Code. The Liquor Control Review Board met on August 27, 2024, November 19, 2024, February 25, 2025, April 22, 2025, May 27, 2025, June 10, 2025, and September 23, 2025, to review, discuss, and recommend amendments to Chapter 3 (“Alcoholic Liquor Dealers”) of the Village Code.
To highlight a few of the major changes:
● 3-1-1: Definitions: Arts and Crafts Establishments may now hold gallery openings or art and craft shows.
● Club, For-Profit is a new definition added under Chapter 3 to complement the Club, Not-for-profit definition.
● 3-2-3: Applications: Applications for liquor licenses were increased from $250.00 to $300.00.
● 3-2-4: Mandatory Alcohol Awareness Training: Added language to ensure that all managers, supervisors, sellers, and servers are BASSET trained.
● The word “liquor” was added before the word license to denote what type of license is being referenced in the code provisions.
● 3-4-2: Classification and Number of Liquor Licenses and Fees
● B-5. Restaurant with Retail Alcoholic Liquor Sales Class B-5 Liquor License:
Added language to provide that alcoholic liquor sales at the restaurant shall be restricted to those hours when food service is available.
● C. Package Liquor Licenses:
●1(b). The sale of packaged liquor is permitted only from seven o’clock (7:00) A.M. to twelve o’clock (12:00) A.M. This was a change from ten o’clock (10:00) A.M.
● D. Miscellaneous:
1. Language added to clarify that Not-for-Profit and For-Profit Clubs are authorized to sell alcoholic liquors with certain conditions.
● Certain classifications, such as bowling alley and auctioneering, were removed due to inactivity.
● Language was added and deleted to clarify requirements under the Special Events Liquor Licenses. Specifically, for Special Events Class E-3 Liquor License, the $500 license fee was removed because it is a BYO.
● 3-5-7: Closing Hours: the time to sell or serve alcoholic liquor changed in certain categories.
● 3-5-11: Delivery and Carry Out Mixed Drinks Permitted:
Added language regarding “to-go cocktails” for off-premises consumption to align with state requirements imposed by the Illinois Liquor Control Commission.
This item is specifically related to the Board’s goal to support new and existing small businesses and districts in furtherance of economic vitality. The Law and Development Services Departments have been working on this item in preparation to bring it to the Village Board.
Timing Considerations
There is no specific timing consideration associated with this item.
Budget Impact
There is no budget impact associated with this agenda item.
Staffing Impact
The Law and Development Services Departments are primarily responsible for this item. Seven public meetings were held on August 27, 2024, November 19, 2024, February 25, 2025, April 22, 2025, May 27, 2025, June 10, 2025, and September 23, 2025 by the Liquor Control Review Board. These meetings are attended by staff members from Law and Development Services. The Law Department spent approximately twenty (20) hours reviewing, editing and preparing Chapter 3 (“Alcoholic Liquor Dealers”) Village Code amendments. Development Services spent approximately forty (40) hours, reviewing, editing and preparing Village Code amendments.
DEI Impact
There is no DEI impact associated with this item because all Village Code provisions are enforced equally to all Village businesses and residents.
Community Input
Seven public meetings were held on August 27, 2024, November 19, 2024, February 25, 2025, April 22, 2025, May 27, 2025, June 10, 2025, and September 23, 2025 by the Liquor Control Review Board. The LCRB voted unanimously to recommend approval of all proposed Chapter 3 (“Alcoholic Liquor Dealers”) Village Code amendments.
Staff Recommendation
Adopt the Ordinance.
Advantages:
• Approval of the amendments will provide a much-needed update to Chapter 3 (“Alcoholic Liquor Dealers”) by streamlining content and modernizing language.
• Approval of the amendments will ensure that the Village’s fees are aligned with other comparable local governments.
• Approval of the amendments will ensure that the Village’s requirements align with the state of Illinois.
Disadvantages:
• The liquor license application fee has increased.
• Certain categories, such as bowling alley and auctioneering, were removed due to inactivity.
Alternatives
Alternative 1:
The Board can elect not to adopt the Ordinance.
Advantages:
• More time could be spent reviewing Chapter 3 (“Alcoholic Liquor Dealers”) for additional changes.
Disadvantages:
• This action may result in a delay in enforcing proposed amendments.
• This action may result in a delay in businesses and residents becoming acclimated to new amendments.
Anticipated Future Actions
There are no anticipated future actions in relation to this item.
Prepared By: Rasheda Jackson, Assistant Village Attorney
Reviewed By: Craig Failor, Development Service Director
Approved By: Kevin J. Jackson, Village Manager
Attachment(s):
1. Ordinance
2. Summary Outline of Changes