Arlington Heights Increases Fines for Hosts of Underage Drinking Parties

The Arlington Heights Village Board recently revised its "social hosting" ordinance to include higher fines for an adult who is caught hosting an underage drinking party in the village.

The updated ordinance means any adult who delivers alcohol to an underage person or owns or is in control of property on which there is consumption of alcohol by an underage person will face fines between a $1,000 to $5,000, according to a village news release. With the revised ordinance, Arlington Heights now has the highest maximum fine in the suburban area.

"The higher fines should help deter parties being held that involve the consumption of alcohol among those who are underage," according to village officials.

While Arlington Heights Police indicate that there have not been cases of “social hosting” in the last two years, village officials hope the Village Board’s proactive step in increasing social hosting fines sends a strong community message against underage drinking, according to the news release.