ILCC News

              Inside this ISSUE
VOLUME XV FIRST ISSUE, 2004
Liquor licensees are responsible for any mishaps that occur at their
liquor establishments. On a daily basis, licensees deal with intoxicated
patrons and people under 21 attempting to purchase alcohol or gain
access in their establishments.
Underage drinking poses many legal problems for licensees. An
establishment that repeatedly violates the law by serving someone under
21 can face thousands of dollars in fines or be shut down temporarily or
permanently. Repeat offenders are usually closely monitored by local
liquor and law enforcement authorities.
Attention licensees
By: Dusanka Vunjak, ILCC Licensing Manager
1 – Plan ahead
All license holders should plan ahead when they are
renewing their liquor license by mail and allow at
least 5 business days for the issuance of their new
liquor license. This also applies to new licensees
who are applying for a new liquor license.
2 – Organize paperwork
When renewing a liquor license or applying for a new
liquor license, licensees must remember to provide
the Commission with a copy of their local liquor
license and a copy of their Certificate of Insurance.
The Certificate of Insurance is required for all on
premise and combined licensees.
3 – Pay new license fee by deadline
Senate Bill 774 that passed on May 31, 2003 raised
the retailer liquor license fee from $175 to $500, for
all retail licensees. Please be aware, as of July 1,
2003 the retailer liquor license fee is $500.
ILCCNews Illinois Liquor Control Commission
Visit us online at the ILCC website: www.state.il.us/lcc
By: Lee J. Roupas, ILCC BASSET Program Manager
Director’s Note...................................... 2
Licensees remember to sign the
Inspection Report......................................2
Web Questions Answered............................3
Tobacco Program Grantees Assemble
at Annual Conference................................. 4
New Tobacco Laws.....................................5
Renewal Tips for Licensees......................... 5
Certification for Compliance Testing..............6
Village mandates
BASSET ordinance - does your town?............ 6
Zappulla picked as BASSET trainer
of the quarter...........................................6
New BASSET Licensees for 2004...................6
Underage
and alcohol
don’t mix
Texas Hold'em Poker, Nascar Pools, Video Poker,
Pulltabs - It's All Gambling
By: William D. O'Donaghue, ILCC Chief Legal Counsel
& Catherine Marisco, ILCC Staff Attorney
There has been a disturbing and growing trend among Licensees regard-ing
games of chance. The Illinois Liquor Control Commission has seen a
steady increase in illegal gambling operations at licensed establishments.
Part of the increase can be linked to the growth in popularity and increase
in Cable T.V. shows such as the World Series of Poker. While these shows
have increased the interest of the average person in playing card games
such as poker, the law governing what is illegal gambling has not changed.
Likewise, the law has not changed in that a licensee is in violation of the
Liquor Control Act if gambling is allowed on the premises. A gambling vio-lation
is considered to be a major offense by the Illinois Liquor Control
Commission.
What activity constitutes the offense of illegal gambling? Section 28-1 of
the Illinois Criminal Code (720 ILCS 5/28-1) provides that a person com-mits
the offense of gambling when he "plays a game of chance or skill for
money or other things of value." Additionally, the Criminal Code states that
a person commits the offense of gambling when he "sets up or promotes
any lottery or sells, offers to sell or transfers any ticket or share for any lot-tery."
Any activity on a licensed establishment that meets these definitions
is considered gambling and is therefore illegal.
Texas Hold 'Em Poker
One new game that has grown in popularity is Texas Hold'em Poker. We
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