Romeoville loosens its liquor control law
By Brock A. Stein For The Herald-News July 12, 2011 5:12PM
Updated: November 16, 2011 1:36AM
ROMEOVILLE — With an eye toward attracting new businesses to the village, Romeoville trustees have approved changes to its alcohol control ordinance.
Village attorney Rich Vogel explained that the change to the ordinance, with added license classes and endorsements was a result of the changing needs of the marketplace.
“We aren’t going to get these businesses to come to Romeoville if we don’t pave the way for them to get here,” Vogel explained.
The attorney said that the theme of the review was to look at ways to entice new businesses. The new regulations will also help existing establishments with limited package liquor sales.
Seven new liquor classes were added and five new endorsements.
New licenses will be added that will address potential businesses that include full-service hotels, upscale movie theaters that serve beer and wine, as well as premium wine and beer bars, and microbreweries. A new class will be added to make it easier for nonprofits to get a license for fundraisers.
Additional classes include sale of package liquor for consumption at the point of sale, catering sales, and beer and wine by the glass sales. New endorsements will include temporary designations for wine and beer sampling and for allowing hotels to serve liquor through room service and mini-bars.
Mayor John Noak said that the village’s review showed a need for the changes based on where the economy was headed before and after the recession. Noak said the idea was to take away any roadblocks to a business setting up shop in the village.
“We wanted to show them we’ve got a [liquor] class for you; we don’t have to create a new class,” he said.
Noak said the village also reviewed ordinances from other municipalities and “borrowed liberally” to help craft the new liquor classes.
“I believe that these updates get us to a very good level,” he said.
