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Kankakee amends liquor code to add late fees and require 2:00 a.m. door lock
Summary
The council approved amendments to Chapter 4 of the municipal code to add structured late fees for delinquent liquor‑license renewals and to require licensed establishments to lock doors at 2:00 a.m. while allowing exits until 2:30 a.m.; the ordinance tightened special‑use license eligibility to establishments within Kankakee County.
The Kankakee City Council voted to amend Chapter 4 of the municipal code to add specified late fees for overdue liquor‑license renewals and to tighten special‑use licensing rules.
Under the revisions discussed at the meeting, staff described a structured late‑fee schedule for liquor licenses: a $250 fee for the first 30 days past the renewal date, $500 for 60 days, and $750 for delinquency that continues past an August 1 cutoff; authorities said failure to reapply by the final deadline could result in loss of the license. The council also approved a rule requiring establishments to lock their doors at 2:00 a.m.; patrons would still be allowed to exit until 2:30 a.m., but no one may enter after 2:00 a.m. Officials said the change responds to observed late‑night re‑entries and clarifies enforcement around the 2:00 a.m. sales cutoff.
The ordinance likewise restricted special use (short‑term or one‑day) liquor licenses to establishments located within Kankakee County, a change officials said will make insurance and compliance verification more reliable.
Alderwoman Swanson moved to suspend rules for final reading; council passed the ordinance on final reading with a roll‑call vote that recorded 12 yes, 0 nays and one abstention.
Council staff said the changes had been considered by the License and Franchise Committee prior to the full council hearing; the new fees will be codified into Chapter 21 (licenses generally) so they are captured in the fee schedule.
