Elmhurst council reduces liquor license fees, cites business retention as rationale
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Summary
Following a committee review, the City Council voted to lower liquor license fees and adopt a minimum three-year review cycle, citing local business hardship and the goal of preserving downtown commerce; the measure passed 11–1 with two absences.
The Elmhurst City Council voted 11–1, with two members absent, on Oct. 6 to adopt committee-recommended reductions to the city's liquor license fee schedule and to set a minimum three-year review cycle for those fees.
Alderman Matthew Brennan, chairing the Public Affairs and Safety Committee, told the council the committee's initial consolidation of license classes simplified administration but produced an unintended revenue shortfall. "Our objective of reviewing the framework was to simplify it and not to reduce fees," Brennan said, describing a nearly $60,000 reduction produced by earlier changes and a projected $87,000 shortfall for 2026 under the prior structure.
Brennan and other supporters argued lowering fees would better align Elmhurst with neighboring municipalities and help locally owned restaurants and bars remain viable. "If you want our downtown to continue to flourish, it's important for the city to provide a fair liquor license framework and to partner with our local businesses," Brennan said.
Opponents said the council should not cede flexibility to review fees annually. Alderman Urbie argued against moving to a three-year review cycle and said he preferred retaining annual review authority. Alderman Jensen, who identified herself as the city's liquor commissioner, said the consolidation from 27 classes down to four had been necessary and that the committee's revision "resets" an unintended consequence of automatic CPI increases.
The council approved the amendment by roll call. The recorded votes were: Nardini (Aye), Besito (Aye), Urbie (No), Brennan (Aye), Bellinger (Aye), Janko (Aye), Hill (Aye), Graham (Aye), Jensen (Aye), Baker (Aye), Nudiera (Aye) and Virgil (Aye). Two members were absent. The ordinance or implementing resolution referenced in the staff report was listed as a departmental fee update; the report notes the committee projects increased food-and-beverage tax revenue if more businesses retain licenses.
The committee recommended, and the council adopted, removing the automatic annual CPI escalation and setting a minimum three-year review cycle; staff will implement the adjusted fee schedule and report back as required. The report notes the city expects an approximate 2026 shortfall of $87,000 but says retained licenses and increased sales tax from flourishing businesses could offset that amount.
The measure does not change other municipal fees or taxes and contains no immediate fiscal offset in the 2025 budget documents. The council record includes motions and the committee report describing the fee tables and comparative market analysis with neighboring suburbs.
