In November, the Illinois Liquor Control Commission (ILCC) conducted compliance checks around the state and visited 141 businesses licensed to sell liquor.  They cited 14 licensees for violations of liquor control laws.

Ninety percent of the licensees visited complied with Illinois liquor laws and refused to serve underage customers.

This report is a result of ongoing undercover and cooperative law enforcement operations conducted by Illinois Liquor Control Commission (ILCC) agents and local law enforcement officials and volunteers from high schools and colleges.

The teams randomly visit liquor stores, restaurants and bars in communities around the state to check for ongoing compliance with state laws mandating that no liquor is sold to minors under the age of 21.

ILCC agents also work with local and state law enforcement agents to focus on communities with a high incidence of underage liquor sales.

Cumberland and Clark Counties: On Nov. 4, 2009 ILCC special Agents and the Illinois State Police conducted alcohol underage compliance checks in Cumberland and Clark Counties. There were 10 licensees checked with four in violation for selling alcohol to ILCC underage participants.

Those licensees were:

• Neoga Package Liquors, 106 W. 7th Street, Neoga
• Casey General Store #1671, 314 E. Main, Toledo
• Marathon / Jumpin Jimmy’s,110 N. Haughton, Greenup
• The Turntable, 25 NW First Street, Casey

Franklin and Williamson Counties: On Nov. 19, 2009 ILCC Special Agents and the Illinois State Police conducted alcohol underage compliance checks in Franklin and Williamson Counties. There were 32 licensees checked and four licensees were in violation of selling alcohol to ILCC underage participants.

Those licensees were:

• Coal Inn, 103-105 Franklin Street, Sesser
• Jumpin Jimmy’s, 640 West Main, Benton
• Brew City Inc., 115 Railroad Street, Benton
• The Ranch, 17259 Rte. 37 N, Johnson City

Piatt County: On Nov. 19, 2009 ILCC Special Agents and the Illinois State Police conducted underage compliance checks in Piatt County. There were ten licensees checked and two licensees in violation for selling alcohol to ILCC underage participants.

Those licensees were:

• Mobile Super Pantry # 60, 802 Iron Horse, Monticello
• The Corner Tavern, 219 W. Washington, Monticello

Winnebago County: On Nov. 5, 2009 ILCC Special Agents and the Rockford Police Department conducted underage compliance checks in the City of Rockford. There were eleven licensees checked with one licensee in violation for selling alcohol to ILCC underage participants.

That licensee was:

• Texas Lounge, 1007 S. Main Street, Rockford

Winnebago County: On Nov. 24, 2009 ILCC Special Agents, The Rockford Police Department and the Winnebago Health Department conducted alcohol underage compliance checks in Rockford. There were 78 licensees checked with three licensees in violation of selling alcohol to Winnebago Health Department underage participants.

Those licensees were:

• South Main Food and Liquor, 1321 S. Main, Rockford
• Hilander, 2514 S. Alpine Rd, Rockford
• GNS BP Gas, 1909 11th Street, Rockford

For information about the disposition of cases resulting from previous compliance checks, please visit the Illinois Liquor Control Commission’s Web site.