December 5, 2006
SB 948 Will Encourage Binge Drinking,
Over Consumption of Alcohol
SB 948 amends the Liquor Control Act to allow the sale of bottles of spirits for 2 or more people at restaurants in Chicago. This increases the amount of alcohol that will be consumed at one setting.
While pitchers of beer are legally sold now, this new practice could lead to untold problems. The bottled alcohol is expensive and while customers may leave beer in the bottom of a pitcher when they have finished eating it is unlikely that they will leave behind an expensive bottle of alcohol. No one will be watching to make sure that no one under the age of 21 consumes alcohol from the bottle of distilled spirits that is brought to the table.
Public health and safety could be jeopardized when alcohol is consumed in this manner-drinking and driving, alcohol abuse and addiction, violence, assaults, and crime.
The Senate passed SB 948, and it will be voted on in the House on January 7-9, 2007.
Call (217-782-2000) or visit your State Representative and ask him/her to vote NO on SB948.