Waukegan committee holds proposed increase in liquor-license cap; approves three individual licenses

Aldermen on the Waukegan Finance and Purchasing Committee on July 21 held over a proposed ordinance that would raise the citywide cap on liquor licenses from 150 to 175, after public comment and a lengthy committee debate about community impacts.

The proposal to raise the cap was moved to the full City Council but then held over to the committee for further discussion and additional information. Committee members said they want more time to review the effects of preauthorizing license slots and how newly available licenses would proceed through local review.

The ordinance drew sustained opposition from several aldermen and members of the public who said adding more available licenses risks increasing alcohol-related harms downtown and limits neighborhoods’ input. Tom Capine, owner of Capine Studio, told the committee a downtown tavern with prior problems was seeking a new license and said, “they're telling you everything you need to know,” expressing concern about repeating past problems. A second public commenter said, “alcohol is the number 1 drug in The United States Of America,” and urged the committee to consider community harm when expanding licenses.

Alderman Newsom and Alderman Hayes were among those who argued against advancing a blanket increase without more committee-level vetting. Hayes said preapproving license slots could “silence” neighborhood input and create a “license in waiting” that effectively hands a future benefit to applicants without the usual public hearing process. Alderman Donenworth, who sponsored the motion to place the ordinance on the council floor, said the vote would only set a maximum number of licenses and would not by itself grant any individual license; applicants would still have to pass police and code review.

Despite the broader cap being held over to the committee, the body approved three separate license increases on individual applications at the meeting. The committee approved an additional Class K-1 banquet liquor license for Alani Banquets LLC at 206 Genesee Street (motion carried 3–1, Alderman Newsom Nay), an additional Class E restaurant liquor license for Forrester Taco at 438 Franklin Street (motion carried 3–1, Newsom Nay), and an additional Class E restaurant license for Birrieria Alisco at 2118 North Green Bay Road (motion carried 3–1, Newsom Nay). Elena Alanis, owner of Alani Banquets, told the committee her venue will host private events and said the facility is not open for walk-in sales.

The committee’s action leaves the citywide cap ordinance to return to the Finance and Purchasing Committee next month for additional discussion.

Votes at a glance: Alani Banquets LLC (Class K-1 banquet license) — motion by Alderman Florian, second by Alderman Donenworth; roll call: Florian Aye, Hayes Aye, Donenworth Aye, Newsom Nay; outcome: approved. Forrester Taco (Class E restaurant) — motion by Alderman Florian, second by Alderman Donenworth; roll call: Florian Aye, Hayes Aye, Donenworth Aye, Newsom Nay; outcome: approved. Birrieria Alisco (Class E restaurant) — motion by Alderman Donenworth, second by Alderman Florian; roll call: Florian Aye, Hayes Aye, Donenworth Aye, Newsom Nay; outcome: approved.

The committee also removed one item from the agenda and agreed to bring the liquor-cap ordinance back for more committee-level consideration rather than advancing it directly to a final council vote.