Liquor License Concerns In Western Springs

WESTERN SPRINGS, IL – Western Springs officials acknowledged receiving messages of concern from residents over the possibility of a gas station getting a liquor license.

The Shell gas station at 5500 Wolf Road is asking the village to change its code and allow it to sell beer and wine.

Two village committees said they were open to letting the station sell beer and wine from 11 a.m. to midnight every day, among other rules.

"It's a new step for the village," Trustee James Tyrrell said at this week's Village Board meeting. "But we think it's one that was timely and appropriate ... well regulated by the restrictions in the license."

Among the concerns in residents' messages were underage customers and the sale of single containers of alcohol.

The license would bar Shell from selling single containers such as "tall boys." Beer and wine must be sold in packs.

As for underage customers, the village code is explicit in its requirements about checking identifications, said Heather Valone, the village's community development director.

"Our police officers are being trained to conduct liquor compliance checks. That's when they cooperate with minors to test various businesses," Valone said. "That's proactive enforcement that they'll do on a yearly schedule."

If the officers find violations, Valone said, they'll cite businesses and refer the issues to the village's liquor commissioner, Village President Heidi Rudolph.

The Village Board is set to decide on the license in July.