Alcohol Action Alert

April 17, 2006

House passes SB 2454 - Alcohol at Historic Sites

For Immediate Action

Call the Governor (800-642-3112) and ask him to VETO SB 2454.
Using the sample letter below, write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper.
Forward this Alert to 6 others.

Alcohol should not be served at Illinois Historic Sites.

State Representatives recently passed SB 2454, which will allow any individual or organization to sell and serve alcohol at our Historic Sites, if they have rented it to hold an event. Legislators were told that this bill would generate more money for the state. The amount of revenue generated from alcohol sales is overly optimistic and the costs are never calculated--underage drinking, drinking and driving, homicide, violence, suicide, and family problems.

There are currently many reception halls in Springfield and the surrounding area where alcohol can be consumed. Non-alcoholic drinks could be served for wedding receptions at the new Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. Abraham Lincoln said, "I am not a temperance man, but I am temperate in this--I don't drink."

The newspaper reported there would be no "cash bars" at the Historic Sites. However, this language was not included in the legislation. Call on the Governor to VETO SB 2454 and keep alcohol out of Historic Sites in Illinois.