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Joliet proposes to stop issuing new Class A licenses; package liquor sales would end at midnight
Summary
Council heard staff presentation of an ordinance to amend Section 4‑15 to cease issuance of new Class A liquor licenses. Existing Class A licensees would retain their licenses but package sales would be limited to midnight; new establishments would need other license classes. A public hearing was scheduled.
City staff presented an ordinance amendment Monday that would stop the issuance of new Class A liquor licenses in Joliet and align the hours for package liquor sales with existing liquor‑store hours.
A city staff member explaining the ordinance told the council the change is intended to prevent late‑night package sales at establishments that currently hold Class A licenses. “There will be no more packaged goods sold past midnight,” the staff member said during the pre‑council discussion.
Under the proposal, existing Class A license holders would keep their licenses, but the hours during which they may sell packaged liquor would match the hours for liquor stores — effectively ending packaged‑goods sales after midnight even for bars that otherwise remain open until 2 a.m. or 3 a.m. The staff member said the city would stop issuing Class A licenses in the future; new restaurants or bars would seek other classes such as Class B or hotel/restaurant licenses.
Council members asked for clarification about the scope and effect of the change. Staff confirmed the ordinance would not revoke current Class A licenses; it would change the permitted hours for package sales and prevent new Class A licenses from being issued. When a council member asked whether the change would address late‑night public‑space drinking problems outside a particular bar, the staff member said the measure was intended as “a step in the right direction.”
The ordinance amendment was listed for public hearing at the regular council meeting. No final action was taken at the pre‑council meeting; council members will have the opportunity to comment formally during the public hearing.
