Rep. Burke: Bill Would Lower Drinking Age With Parents' Permission

SPRINGFIELD, IL — Proposed legislation would lower the drinking age to 18 in Illinois restaurants — with parents' permission.

The bill — introduced in January by State Reps. Barbara Wheeler (R-Crystal Lake) and Kelly Burke (D-Oak Lawn) — would allow anyone over 18 to have beer or wine with the consent of a parent, but hard liquor would still be prohibited.

Ten states already have a similar law: Connecticut, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Nevada, Ohio, Texas, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

The bill would allow people under 21 to drink in restaurants, but not bars, stipulating those 18 and older could drink "on premises where a restaurant is operated and the sale of alcoholic liquor is not the principal business." The drinking would have to take place "under the direct supervision and approval of his or her parents" or guardian.

The bill was introduced Jan. 20 and referred Wednesday to the House Rules Committee.

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