Committee denies El Santo Grill late‑night permit amid outstanding code violations

The Government Operations Committee voted to deny a late‑night permit for St. Charles Sports LLC, doing business as El Santo Mexican Grill and Cantina, citing outstanding building‑code violations and prior compliance issues.

Acting Chief Clark presented the recommendation to continue denying the 2 a.m. late‑night permit, noting multiple inspections had documented violations of the Illinois Fire Code and the municipal building code. Clark told the committee the fire department and code enforcement had reviewed the property; fire code violations identified earlier were remedied, but of 23 code‑enforcement items listed originally, three remained outstanding.

Acting Chief Clark said the Liquor Commission had approved the police department’s request to continue denying the late‑night permit “for the remainder of this fiscal year or until a point when all their violations have been remedied.” Councilmember Ryan asked whether any violations were life‑safety issues; code enforcement’s response — relayed in the meeting — said the remaining items were not classified as life‑safety violations but included potential safety and exterior maintenance issues, including some electrical and property‑maintenance items.

Marwan Tayib, owner of Saint Charles Sports LLC (El Santo), spoke to the committee and said the business had remedied the fire violations and had pulled permits and completed the work awaiting final inspection. “All the fire violations have been clarified remedied by now,” Tayib said. He told the committee that the business endured serious sales declines during the pandemic, attempted to sell the property twice and ultimately rebranded in May 2024; he said the outstanding items reflect an ongoing inspection process and deferred maintenance accumulated over many years.

City staff told the committee the current liquor code does not allow the city to withhold renewal approval of a liquor license on the basis of these code violations; staff said they are considering changes to that ordinance so licensing could be more closely tied to code compliance in future. Councilmember Ron said the city should change its ordinance so repeat noncompliance could jeopardize a liquor license.

A motion to deny the late‑night permit carried by roll call. Staff said the city will withdraw its objection to a future late‑night permit application if the outstanding code‑enforcement items are cleared and final inspections passed.