Oppose SB 2231
Makes Alcohol more Accessible at Illinois Schools and Colleges
- SB 2231 changes the Illinois Vehicle Code to allow alcohol on chartered buses used for school purposes. This law would apply for all schools using chartered buses-elementary, secondary, and college. There are no safeguards against underage drinking. The unintended consequences could be more drinking and driving, violence, sexual harassment, and underage drinking.
- SB 2231 gives broad authority to the Board of Trustees at the University of Illinois to serve or sell alcohol for "public events" at all three campuses-Champaign-Urbana, Chicago, and Springfield. Any event requires only the written approval of the Office of the Chancellor for the University campus where the event is located. During these trying economic times, we are concerned about the possibility of alcohol sales at sporting events to increase revenue for the University.
- The lobbyist for the University of Illinois stated that they would like to serve/sell alcohol in the Sky Boxes at the new stadium and for concerts in the Assembly Hall. Legislators passed a law a few years ago to allow alcohol to be sold during the Chicago Storm games and women's professional basketball games at the University of Illinois in Chicago. If additional professional sporting teams use the University fields, the Board of Trustees would be able to approve the sale of alcohol for these "public events" without Legislative approval.
- SB 2231 also allows alcohol to be delivered and sold at Triton College and at a restaurant and food service at Kennedy King College Campus in Chicago. SB 2231 would expand alcohol at the college campuses at a time when underage drinking, college drinking, and binge drinking are already causing health and safety problems.
- Some colleges have stopped alcohol advertising on campus and others have stopped alcohol sales at college stadiums and events. SB 2231 moves the Illinois colleges in the wrong direction and sends the wrong message to students.
- Allowing alcohol at "public events" on campus and on chartered buses for school events could increase alcohol problems, underage drinking, and drinking and driving.
Call the Governor (800-642-3112) and ask him to Veto
these sections out of SB 2231