SPRINGFIELD, Ill.- The Illinois Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Business Regulations and Labor heard testimony today from the organization responsible for liquor stores, bars, and restaurants.
The Illinois Liquor Control Commission asked for a flat budget of roughly $11.6 million. Officials note the vast majority of the money comes from the DRAM shop fund. Which is made up of revenue collected from any place that legally sells alcohol in the state.
Commission Executive Director Chima Enyia said this funding can help businesses struggling through the pandemic. The commission received several complaints from liquor stores, bars, and restaurants over the last year alone.
“Depending on the nature of that complaint, we would either take a site visit and go to enforce the Governors public health mandate that went through JCAR,� Enyia said. “Or, we would hand it off to the state police because they would be more equipped, safe for example if it was in real-time.�
Enyia explained the commission documented each of the public health violations in real-time as well. He also said the organization prioritizes education for businesses to help them during the ongoing pandemic.
Meanwhile, Sen. Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) shared concerns over how the industry would move forward. She emphasized that while businesses were forced to close their doors, the state was losing out on that revenue.
“We walk a fine line at trying to balance protecting and permitting,� said Feighenholtz. “Because ultimately it ends up closing independent businesses.�
