April 15, 2008

Alcohol Action Alert

Alcohol at the University of Illinois - Oppose HB 5135

HB 5135 will be heard in the House Executive Committee at 5:00 pm tomorrow. HB 5135 gives the Board of Trustees for the University of Illinois the authority to serve or sell alcohol for public events on the three campuses in Champaign-Urbana, Chicago, and Springfield.

For Immediate Action

View the names and phone numbers of committee members.
If your State Representative serves on this committee, please call the Springfield Office and ask him/her to vote NO on HB 5135.
Forward to 10 others.

Talking Points to Oppose HB 5135:

HB 5135 gives broad authority to the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois to serve or sell alcohol for "public events". Will the University allow alcohol sales at sporting events to increase revenue?
HB 5135 will make alcohol more accessible in Champaign-Urbana, Chicago, and Springfield.
HB 5135 includes a provision for the Board of Trustees to revise, update, amend, or add new policies. If one event requests alcohol, many others will want the same privilege. Opening up university buildings and events to alcohol sales could increase alcohol problems, drinking and driving, and underage drinking.
HB 5135 sends a mixed message to students. Administrators say the city needs to curtain bar-promoted drinking, but it is okay for the University to make money by selling alcohol. NOTE: Last year during "Unofficial St. Patrick's Day", 90 UI students were sent to the hospital and 176 people were arrested, a 71 percent increase from the year before, according to the News-Gazette, 2/27/08. l
HB 5135 would expand alcohol at the University of Illinois at a time when underage drinking, college drinking, and binge drinking are already causing health and safety problems. Some colleges have stopped alcohol advertising, others have stopped alcohol sales at college stadiums and college events.