McHenry County committee approves liquor license for Ava’s Place, pending fingerprint clearance

The McHenry County Committee of Law and Government on Thursday voted to approve a liquor license for Ava’s Place, a gaming‑café conversion at the former Tobacco Hut on Route 31 in Algonquin. The committee’s approval is conditional: the applicant must complete fingerprinting and the results must come back with no issues before the license is finalized.

Applicant Jim Bocas told the committee he renovated the building and intends the location to serve as a community "third place," offering gaming machines and conventional bar service. ‘‘So this is kind of the other third place, if you will,’’ Bocas said, describing the business’s emphasis on atmosphere and cleanliness.

Committee members welcomed the cleanup of the Route 31 corridor and praised the applicant’s existing county businesses. Member Shorten delivered the committee’s standard reminder about license responsibilities, saying being a liquor licensee "isn’t a right… it’s a privilege," and emphasizing compliance with age and service rules.

The approval motion — made with the explicit caveat that fingerprinting must be completed and clear — was seconded and carried by roll call vote. The chair told Bocas the committee would provide directions for obtaining fingerprints and congratulated him pending the successful background check.

Next steps: staff will confirm fingerprint results before issuing the license; the committee’s action will be recorded with the county clerk’s office and the matter is completed at the committee level unless further issues arise.