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City revises liquor code to create 11‑day fair beer license and raise fee to $3,000
Summary
Commissioners adopted an ordinance creating a single 11‑day beer-only license for the fair and set the fee at $3,000 (up from $1,500 under the prior administration); staff said the change followed guidance from the Illinois Department of Agriculture.
The Du Quoin City Commission approved Ordinance 2024-010-01 to revise Chapter 21 of the city code so the fair will be served by a single 11‑day beer‑only license, and set the fee at $3,000 for those 11 days.
Caitlin explained that discussions with the Illinois Department of Agriculture prompted the change: the state requested a separate fair license after restructuring, and having separate year‑round holders had previously discouraged some fair events. Caitlin said, “Previously, under the prior administration, they had 1 liquor license holder for year round, and at least 1 event would not come to the fairgrounds because of that.” She added that the fair license fee is now $3,000 and that under the prior administration it had been lowered to $1,500; Caitlin noted veterans previously paid about $250 per day for two tents under an earlier arrangement.
Commissioner Ward moved for final approval; Commissioner Karnes seconded. The ordinance passed on a unanimous roll-call vote. The commission also removed a locally created “MR” license type that the state could not accommodate, per staff explanation. The meeting did not include a detailed breakdown of projected license revenue; staff indicated the change was intended to address state licensing structure and event participation.
