Hampshire amends liquor code to ease special-event rules, adds commission review for frequent events

The Village of Hampshire adopted an ordinance amending Chapter 3 of the municipal code to change special‑event liquor licensing rules and to expand grounds for suspension of licenses.

Under the amendment, a personal entity may receive up to five special‑event licenses in a calendar year without convening the full liquor control commission; any request for additional special‑event licenses beyond that cap must be reviewed by the liquor control commission. The ordinance also clarifies that a liquor license may be suspended or revoked for nonpayment of taxes, fees or other fines required by the municipal code.

The ordinance drew extended debate. Several trustees expressed concern about vesting too much discretion in a single official; the mayor and counsel explained that Illinois statute vests the mayor or a designee with some authority as liquor commissioner but confirmed the code already allows commission review in designated cases. "The liquor commissioner already has the authority to do it one day at a time," the mayor said, explaining why the amendment was limited to recurring uses rather than one‑day approvals.

Trustees compromised on a moderate path: expand the commissioner’s routine authority to five events, require commission-level review beyond that number, and set a regular commission schedule to reduce last‑minute emergency meetings. The amended ordinance passed on roll call, with the clerk recording a unanimous vote.

Staff will update application forms and the municipal code text to reflect the changes and will schedule liquor commission meeting dates to provide advance review opportunities for businesses that expect multiple special events.