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Trustees approve new non-gaming liquor license classes after heated debate over waiving first reading
Summary
The Villa Park Board of Trustees voted Oct. 20 to amend the municipal code to create three new liquor license classes (quad I, quad L and quad Z) and to align local code with the Illinois Video Gaming Act. Trustees debated waiving the first reading and whether businesses had adequate notice.
The Villa Park Board of Trustees voted Oct. 20 to amend the village code to create three new liquor-license classes intended for establishments that do not host video gaming terminals, and to update code language to reflect statutory requirements under the Illinois Video Gaming Act.
The ordinance — described in the packet as “an ordinance of the Village of Villa Park, DuPage County, Illinois amending Article 3 of Chapter 3 of the Villa Park Municipal Code to create, classes quad I, quad L, and quad Z, liquor licenses, and regulate liquor license operations” — passed on a roll call of 4–2 after trustees voted to waive a formal second reading and approve the measure the same night.
Why it mattered: The change is aimed at giving license-holders an option that does not carry video-gaming privileges and at aligning the village code with state law, including the statutorily required division of the $250 video-gaming terminal fee between terminal operators and licensed establishments and a new employee-age consistency requirement for video-gaming hours.
Debate and public-notice concerns
Some trustees urged the board not to waive a second reading so that the village could give business owners additional time to review the ordinance and decide whether to continue with gaming-enabled licenses or switch to the new non-gaming classes. Trustee Cordova said she “would urge you all to not vote on this as a first reading and pass it,” citing a lack of outreach to affected business owners and urging a second reading.
Others said the change had been discussed previously by the Liquor Control Commission and that timetables for issuing renewal letters and license payments required the board to act so businesses would have time to respond before renewals and fee deadlines. Director Michelle House said the village’s preference is to give at least 45–60 days’ notice for licensing changes because some renewals must route to corporate offices.
Legal alignment
Village legal review cited the Illinois Video Gaming Act (230 ILCS 40/65) and recommended two code clarifications: (1) language to reflect that the $250 terminal fee must be split evenly between the terminal operator and the licensed establishment and (2) an operational requirement that an owner, manager or employee aged 21 or older be present during hours when video gaming terminals operate. Village attorney Morton explained those items were adopted to ensure the village code matched state statute and to close a local-language gap regarding employee age during video-gaming hours.
Vote and next steps
Motion: Waive first reading and approve ordinance creating quad I, quad L and quad Z non-gaming liquor licences (motion by Trustee Cozart; second by Trustee Sabri). Roll call vote: Trustee Alfano — Yes; Trustee Cordova — No; Trustee Constatos — Yes; Trustee Cozart — Yes; Trustee Kumar — No; Trustee Sabri — Yes. Outcome: approved (4–2).
Staff will proceed with issuing renewal notices and fees in line with the amended code and the timetable described by the village clerk and licensing staff.
