Willow Springs board adopts Ordinance 2024 to update business and licensing rules

The Willow Springs Village Board on June 20 approved Ordinance 2024, a revision to Title 4 of the village code that trims a longstanding municipal relationship, updates license categories and creates a second carryout-style license that would allow limited beer-and-wine sales.

The change "is removing the relationship with Ygrene that is currently in our code," the President said while outlining the ordinance, adding that the update adjusts the chart assigning license counts and corrects classes that are already in use. The ordinance also "adds a second license" intended for carryout service, according to the presentation to the board (transcript phrasing on the new license label was unclear in parts of the record).

Board members said the changes align the village code more closely with state requirements and local practice. Trustee Micah moved the ordinance and Trustee Ara seconded the motion; the board then held a roll-call vote in which trustees present recorded "Aye," and the measure carried.

The ordinance record before the board included three principal changes described by the President: removing the village's tie to Ygrene, updating the licensing chart to reflect current license classes and counts, and adding a second carryout-oriented license that the board said would permit limited off-premises sales of beer and wine. The transcript contains wording about a "Jay" license and a phrase transcribed as "COVID format"; the record of the meeting did not clarify those terms and the board did not provide additional definition during the discussion.

The board took no separate action to implement license-fee schedules or administrative procedures at the meeting; those operational details will appear in follow-up staff reports if and when the new license type is issued.

The ordinance was adopted during regular business; the village clerk recorded the vote and the board moved on to subsequent agenda items.