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Mundelein restaurant asks board for beer-and-wine license; board urges strong ID checks
Summary
El Monica's owner Jennifer Castro asked the Mundelein Village Board for permission to apply for a Class G (beer-and-wine) license to complement family dining; the board signaled support and urged strict ID policies and responsible service training.
Jennifer Castro, who identified herself as an owner of El Monica’s Mexican Restaurant at 839 South Lake Street, told the Mundelein Village Board on May 11 that the restaurant seeks a Class G liquor license to offer beer and wine alongside its menu.
“My name is Jennifer Castro, and I'm one of the owners of El Monica's Mexican restaurant located here in Mundelein,” Castro said, outlining nearly 26 years of service to the community and saying the current ownership has been operating for about two years. She said staff and ownership have completed responsible-server training and that the restaurant would verify IDs and “maintain a safe, respectful, and family friendly environment.”
A trustee who spoke during the exchange cautioned the applicants about liquor violations in the area and urged a strict ID protocol. “I don't have any questions, but I'll be the mean mom. We take this very seriously,” the trustee said, and encouraged the applicants to adopt a vertical-ID policy as a local best practice. The trustee also noted that while such a policy is not state law, it is a preferred approach to prevent underage sales.
The board indicated it was in favor of the applicants proceeding to complete and file the liquor-license application. The mayor told the applicants they could pick up the application at Village Hall the next day.
Next steps: the owners were directed to file the formal application and follow the village’s licensing process; the transcript records the board’s support but does not show a final license issuance at this meeting.
