17 Violations Reported In Lake County Underage Drinking Sting: Agency

LAKE COUNTY, IL — Though there wasn't the desired 100 percent compliance, a local agency is pleased with the results of its recent fall alcohol sales compliance campaign. According to the Lake County Underage Drinking and Drug Prevention Task Force, 17 of 160 establishments sold alcohol to underage consumers at stores throughout Lake County.

Local police departments worked with groups and young adults in the area on the campaign by sending people into stores with identification that showed they were under 21 and having them try to buy alcohol.

"Consistency from community to community and monitoring underage drinking issues will help us be successful in addressing this problem and saving lives," said Steve Husak, chairman of the Lake County Underage Drinking and Drug Prevention Task Force.

The agency holds the campaign every fall because it says more alcohol is often consumed by high school-aged kids during homecoming football games and related dances and parties. Sale of alcohol to a person under 21 years of age is illegal under local and state laws and is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail, fine, or probation.

Police departments that participated in the recent compliance checks include:

• Buffalo Grove — 23 checks, 1 violation
• Deerfield — 10 checks, 0 violations
• Lake County Sheriff — 55 checks, 7 violations
• Lake Forest — 13 checks, 6 violations
• Lake Zurich — 2 checks, 1 violation
• Lincolnshire — 20 checks, 0 violations
• Riverwoods — 4 checks 0 violations
• Winthrop Harbor — 14 checks, 2 violations

According to the task force, which was formed in 2007, the initiative is intended to o reduce and prevent underage drinking and other youth substance abuse in Lake County. The task force is made up of a "diverse group" of citizens including community members, school officials, parents, law enforcement personnel, and other professionals.