Inebriated RJ's Bartender: Rockdale Issues Suspension, Fine

ROCKDALE, IL — The village of Rockdale posted a letter on the Rockdale Police Department Facebook page Friday letting everyone know that RJ's Place was hit with a two-day suspension and a $250 fine.

The letter is addressed to Mark Keenan, owner of RJ's Place, 201 Moen Ave.

According to Sam Wyke, Rockdale's village president and liquor commissioner, the Rockdale police's latest call for service at RJ's Place was on Feb. 11, "in which your employee was on duty tending bar while under the influence of alcohol," Wyke announced.

That particular call for Rockdale police resulted from an argument involving the bartender and one of the bar patrons, the village president noted.

"Although there was no physical altercation, the bartender was clearly intoxicated and had to be driven home," Wyke wrote. "As you know, this is not the first instance of the bartender drinking on the job and having to be driven home. In addition, there have been multiple calls for service over the past six months, and as discussed, there was a marked increase in calls for service in 2022 and so far in 2023, some of which amounted to violations of either Rockdale's liquor ordinances or the Illinois Liquor Code."

According to Wyke, Rockdale Police Chief Robert Dykstra recommended a closure of not more than two days and a monetary fine.

The owner of RJ's Place agreed to forgo a hearing before the liquor commission. Keenan agreed to pay the $250 fine and serve a two-day suspension on March 17, which is St. Patrick's Day, and Saturday, March 18.

The owner of RJ's also agreed to post the village's suspension letter on his bar's entrance doors, and the letter will be posted on Rockdale's social media accounts.