Addison committee backs ordinance to prohibit 'bring your own' alcohol; changes to local retail liquor rules advance

The Village of Addison’s committees recommended amendments to Chapter 3 of the village code on Oct. 6 to prohibit businesses from allowing patrons to bring their own alcoholic beverages and to adjust the regulation of retail liquor licenses. The changes would require any business that allows alcohol on its premises to hold a liquor license.

Why it matters: the amendment would broaden the licensing requirement beyond restaurants to any business that permits alcohol on its premises, creating new compliance obligations for establishments that previously relied on BYOB setups.

What the ordinance would do: staff described the proposed code change as a formal prohibition on “bring your own” alcohol at businesses across the village, not limited to restaurants. The presenter told the committee legal staff had reviewed the language. One committee member asked whether religious organizations would be affected; staff replied that an exception for churches and institutions is included.

Board action and status: the combined committees voted to recommend approval and the village board conducted first reading of the ordinance on Oct. 6; the item will return for additional readings as required by ordinance procedure. The committee also reviewed two related license-count ordinances affecting a Class B liquor license for a business at 435 S. Addison Road (matters of decreasing and then increasing the number of Class B licenses for the entity were processed as separate ordinances at the board meeting). Those licensing ordinances were acted on by the board as part of the consent/ordinance calendar per the record.

Discussion and questions: committee members asked whether the prohibition would apply to religious organizations and were told by staff that churches and similar institutions are excepted. Legal staff reviewed the proposed ordinance language before the committee recommended it.

What’s next: after additional readings and final board action the prohibition would be codified in Chapter 3; the Village Clerk and licensing staff would implement administrative steps to reflect any new licensing requirements for affected businesses.