Two bars in Robbins cited for selling alcohol to minors

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by SheRico Jones

Every month, the Illinois Liquor Control Commission (ILCC) conducts random compliance checks around the state. According to a recent report, ILCC agents with the help of local law enforcement; visited twelve establishments in Cook County that are licensed to serve alcohol. Four of these establishments failed the compliance check. Two of them: Girlz Sports Grill and Sala are located in the South Suburb of Robbins.

There are 102 counties in Illinois, which are broken up into three geographical divisions: Northern, Central and Southern. ILCC conducts 4-10 random liquor license compliance checks in each division every month. The ILCC agents, along with local law enforcement agencies select volunteer high school and college students to go into the randomly chosen establishments and attempt to purchase alcohol. Most of the time, there is already an undercover officer inside of the store when the student enters to make the transaction.

Usually, the undercover officer is already in the store Susan Hofer, of ILCC media relations said. But if there is a visible sightline, they sometimes stay outside.

ILCC works closely with the Illinois Sheriffs Department and local police departments including the Chicago police department. These local agencies know their areas and know what stores to focus on. Some of the determining factors include high traffic locations or areas where kids are known to hang out. Other factors include these agencies receiving complaints about a particular location but for the most part, the stores are chosen at random.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the rate of alcohol use among youth aged 12 to 17 in 2009 was 14.7%. Out of all youth aged 12 to 20 years old who have used alcohol in the last 30 days, 20.4% are African-American. 9% of these minors purchased the alcohol themselves.

Any establishment which fails a compliance check is given a citation against its license and a fine for the first offense. Repeated offenses will lead to license revocation.

Business owners arent the only ones subject to the strict laws governing underage drinking. According to ILCCs website, the penalty for selling or providing alcohol to a minor is a $2,500 fine and a year in jail. A teen found in possession of alcohol can be sentenced to six months in jail. Additionally; parents can be sentenced up to a year in jail for allowing underage drinking to occur at their home.

With prom and graduation around the corner, there is a heightened concern about underage drinking. According to the Students against drunk driving (SADD) website, 59% of all underage drinkers had someone who was of legal drinking age to purchase alcohol for them but adults should be advised that there are strict penalties for purchasing alcohol for minors; including fines and imprisonment.

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