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Kewanee council removes outdated restrictions on billiards halls
Summary
The Kewanee City Council on Nov. 12 approved an amendment to business regulations removing minor- and hours-based restrictions on billiards halls after brief debate; supporters said the code was archaic and not consistently enforced.
The Kewanee City Council voted Nov. 12 to amend city business regulations affecting billiards halls, removing provisions that limited minors and specified operating hours.
Council Member Chris Colomer moved to approve the amendment after an earlier motion was withdrawn by Council Member Michael Komnick; the motion passed on a 5–0 roll-call vote. Council members and city staff said the existing language was archaic and that some local businesses were already operating outside the old rules.
Mark, a meeting participant who said he had consulted neighbors, told the council there were no objections from nearby residents to his planned business change. Justin Raver called the ordinance "silly" and said he would not prosecute alleged violations if they came to his desk. The City Clerk explained the specific clauses to be removed and City Manager Bradley said the amendment would correct inconsistencies between the code and current practice.
Council Member Michael Yaklich had asked for more time to review the language, expressing caution about unintended consequences, but the majority concluded that removing the outdated provisions was appropriate and that nothing in the amendment would be replaced with new restrictions.
The ordinance amendment was passed by the full council. The city clerk will record the change in the municipal code and affected business owners were advised they may proceed with required permitting once the ordinance is final.
