Riverwoods amends liquor license code to permit third‑party caterers for village hall events

The Board of Trustees approved an ordinance amendment creating a license category to allow third‑party caterers to dispense alcoholic beverages at approved events held at Village Hall.

Counsel explained the change creates a designated license (described in the packet as a municipal or one‑day type of license) that would allow a caterer to serve alcohol under conditions spelled out in the village code and the Village Hall use policy, including trained servers and insurance naming the village.

“This is the reason for the change,” counsel said, explaining the village has traditionally allowed limited alcoholic‑beverage service at Village Hall but rarely had a third‑party caterer; the new license will let resident groups use an outside caterer while keeping required conditions in place.

Trustees noted the Village Hall use policy remains applicable; the council emphasized the amendment is not intended to open Village Hall for commercial weddings and parties outside the existing policy limits. The board adopted the ordinance on second reading; roll call showed ayes from Trustees Smith, Clayton, Dickon, Eastman and Hollander.

What this does: the ordinance authorizes a limited, permit‑based license for caterers at Village Hall events and requires compliance with existing code elements (trained‑server requirements, insurance, scope and time limits). Village Hall use policy and conditions set the allowable uses.