Restaurants, Bars Can Deliver Alcohol In St. Charles: Mayor

ST. CHARLES, IL — Restaurants and bars with liquor licenses in St. Charles will now be able to deliver alcohol to help boost sales amid a statewide shutdown on dine-in, and drink-in, businesses across the state. In addition, Mayor Raymond Rogina, who also serves as the St. Charles Liquor Control Commissioner, issued an emergency order to extend all liquor licenses that expire on April 30 until May 31, 2020, according to a news release from the city of St. Charles.

Alcohol purchases will also be available for curbside pickup orders, city officials said. The restaurants and bars must hold a Class B or C liquor license and the alcohol must be in the original, sealed packaging for off-site, legal consumption.

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City officials said the responsibility for checking identification will be up to the business selling the alcohol and "no different from an over-the-counter transaction."

Last Friday, Gov. JB Pritzker ordered all restaurants and bars across the state close for onsite consumption. Since then, many businesses have opted to offer delivery or curbside pickup.

Other towns in the state have passed similar measures. Champaign, for example, approved measures for alcohol delivery earlier in the week.

• Evanston Moves To Delay Due Dates, Suspend Liquor Restrictions
• Champaign Announces Curbside Pickup Zones And Packaged Alcohol Delivery

On Thursday, the city granted Rogina "emergency powers" and declared a state of emergency.

This declaration primarily enables the city to receive potential federal and state disaster funding and allows the city flexibility to make decisions in order to maintain essential services during the new coronavirus outbreak, city officials said.

The emergency authority granted to Rogina will remain in effect until April 6, which is when the next city council meeting is scheduled for. His emergency powers could be reauthorized at that time if necessary.

• St. Charles Issues Coronavirus State Of Emergency Declaration

Help for Small Businesses

Pritzker announced that the U.S. Small Business Administration has approved Illinois’ eligibility for disaster assistance loans for small businesses facing financial hardship due to COVID-19. Eligible businesses can apply for up to $2 million in low-interest loans.

“I have always been a champion of our local businesses,”Rogina said. “In addition to the SBA program, I have spoken with bankers in St. Charles and if you are a local business that ‘banks local,’ you may want to contact them as well. Please know we are constantly reviewing ways to help our residents and businesses as we navigate this unprecedented public health crisis together.”