NOVEMBER 2020 SANGAMON COUNTY LIQUOR COMMISSIONER RULE 5XXXX (2).pdf | DocHub

NOVEMBER 3, 2020,

SANGAMON COUNTY LIQUOR COMMISSIONER TEMPORARY RULE

REQUIRING LIQUOR LICENSEES TO COMPLY WITH COVID-19 REQUIREMENTS

[NOTE: Supersedes July 24, 2020, Temporary Rule]

WHEREAS, businesses licensed to sell alcoholic beverages at retail have operated with

restrictions designed to protect the public health during the COVID-19 pandemic in order for the

businesses and the overall economy to prosper; and

WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic continues, positivity rates in our area have

increased, and the pandemic threatens the health of all persons in Sangamon County, including

employees and patrons of these licensees; and

WHEREAS, based upon current data in Sangamon County, our medical advisory group

has recommended additional mitigation restrictions to avoid those conditions in which the safety

of any person is likely to be endangered by the keeping open of such place where alcoholic

liquor is sold at retail or dispensed; and

WHEREAS, the Sangamon County Board Chairman, in his capacity as the Sangamon

County Liquor Commissioner, is authorized to make rules relating to the administration and

enforcement of the Sangamon County Code, Chapter 5.04, entitled “Alcoholic Beverages;” and

WHEREAS, Section 5.04.380 of the Code grants the Liquor Commissioner the authority

to close for a time period as determined by the Liquor Commissioner a licensee’s business if, in

his opinion, the safety of any person is likely to be endangered by the keeping open of such place

where alcoholic liquor is sold at retail or dispensed; and

WHEREAS, it is the Liquor Commissioner’s opinion that the operation of a licensee’s

business while not in compliance with the COVID-19 protective measures set forth in Exhibit A

(attached hereto) endangers the safety of persons who are employees and patrons of the business

and, thus, the business is subject to closure for a time period determined by the Liquor

Commissioner pursuant to Section 5.04.380; and

WHEREAS, a violation of Section 5.04.380 also subjects licensees to Section 5.04.370

monetary penalties, which may include a fine of not less than two hundred fifty dollars for the

first offense, not less than five hundred dollars for the second offense, and not less than one

thousand dollars for any offense thereafter; and

WHEREAS, any such violation may also subject licensees to any other action that may

be taken by the Liquor Commissioner under Section 5.04.140, including, but not limited to, the

revocation or suspension of a license; and

WHEREAS, Section 5.04.360 of the Code incorporates the Illinois Liquor Control Act

and all regulations issued by the Illinois Liquor Commission applicable to Sangamon County;

and