Finnegan's Lost Its License for Back Taxes; Owner Vows to Reopen

didn’t reopen Wednesday, and owner Dale Lewis said he’s not certain when he’ll be able to pay the back taxes that caused him to last week.

Lewis said he got behind in the state and federal taxes he owed because he made it a priority to pay vendors and employees first, and “there was never enough money at the end of the month to pay. … You just try to do the best you can with what you’ve got.”

That said, Lewis is committed to finding the money he needs and getting his business back on track.

“It’s going to happen. I’m driven to make it happen,” he said. “We employ 30 people here. That’s a lot of lives depending on (this business).”

Lewis was informed Friday that his state liquor license was pulled. While he can continue to sell food at his 24102 Lockport St. restaurant/bar, alcohol is off the menu. While he said on his Facebook page that the business would reopen Wednesday, he says now that he's not sure what the timeframe will be.

Susan Hofer, spokeswoman for the State of Illinois Liquor Control Commission, confirmed that Lewis’ failure to pay taxes is what led to the license revocation. She said she could not specify how much was owed or for what period time because personal tax records are confidential.

Lewis’ license can be reinstated as quickly as within 24 hours of his paying the debt, Hofer said, and there are payment plans available that might be able to help him catch up on what he owes.

“We make every effort to work with businesses,” she said. “We work very hard to help someone stay open.”

People speculating on the state of his business has been difficult, Lewis said. But it's the comments people have made trying to link Finnegan’s tax problems to the , a fundraiser he co-organized, that have made him "extremely irritated," he said.

Suggestions that the Aug. 27 benefit for the redevelopment of the Plainfield riverfront was “somehow shady” or that “we didn’t use proper business practices” are lies, he said.

“I’m angry that (this event) is being tarnished,” he said. “(The people involved) should be getting credit, not ridiculed by a couple of loudmouths out there.

The festival attracted more than 3,000 people and 57 craft brewers. Accounts are still being settled so the amount of money to be donated to the Riverfront Foundation is not known.