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Council narrows tobacco retail licenses; measure passes amid split vote
Summary
After debate about public‑safety and business freedom, the council voted to withdraw a tobacco retail license and maintain a capped number of licenses; the ordinance amending chapter 18, article 14 (existing tobacco retail licenses) passed with three council members voting no.
The Peoria City Council voted to adopt an ordinance amending city code provisions for existing tobacco retail licenses, removing one license and keeping a cap on the total number of tobacco retail permits. The ordinance amends chapter 18, article 14, section 18‑621 of the Peoria code.
Council member Carmona said he could not support the change because he viewed it as “stifling growth and much needed tax revenue” and said the market should determine whether a business succeeds. “I cannot support this measure because it’s stifling growth and much needed tax revenue that we need for the city as well,” Carmona said.
Council member Vespa took a different view, calling standalone vape and tobacco shops “eyesores” and arguing they correlate with property and violent crime in nearby neighborhoods. He said studies and law‑enforcement guidance suggest convenience stores and small tobacco shops can be targets for quick robberies and expressed support for maintaining the cap.
Council members debated whether the practice of reducing the cap when a license withdraws was a written policy or a counsel determination; Corporation Counsel John Hayes said the matter was “completely attributable to your vigilant corporation counsel, not written policy,” and that counsel would continue to exercise discretion on license determinations.
Council member Riggenbach argued the change does not prohibit future licenses and that any increase would require council or counsel action; he moved to approve. The motion passed; the clerk recorded the motion as passing with three nays (Council members Carmona, Kelly and Valpula).
Why it matters: The ordinance changes how the city manages the number and issuance of tobacco retail licenses, balancing neighborhood quality‑of‑life concerns raised by some council members with concerns from others about business freedom and tax revenue.
What happens next: The ordinance allows counsel to consider future adjustments case‑by‑case; businesses may petition the city consistent with code and counsel guidance.
