Lake County Task Force Announces Alcohol Sales Compliance Checks

Submitted by the Lake County Underage Drinking and Drug Prevention Task Force 

Two Lake Zurich businesses failed an alcohol sales compliance check conducted by the Lake County Underage Drinking and Drug Prevention Task Force this spring.

Throughout this season, businesses throughout Lake County saw teens entering their stores attempting to purchase alcohol.  This was part of a countywide effort to continue promoting positive practices by stores and restaurants that sell alcohol.  Law enforcement agencies worked with local groups and young adults to see if they could purchase alcohol with identification that showed they were under 21.

“Consistency from community to community and monitoring underage drinking issues will help us be successful in addressing this problem and saving lives.  Our desire is to see 100 percent compliance, but it is refreshing to see the majority of businesses realize the seriousness of this issue and did not sell alcohol to the underage participants,” said Bruce Johnson, chairman of the Lake County Underage Drinking and Drug Prevention Task Force.

Twenty-six Lake Zurich businesses were checked this spring and two were found in violation, according to the task force.

Other departments that participated in the recent compliance checks include:

Department                                       Checks                        Violations
Buffalo Grove                                       16                                1
Deerfield                                              10                                0
Grayslake                                            10                                0
Highland Park                                      12                                1
Lake County Sheriff                             46                                5
Mundelein                                           12                                2
Riverwoods                                           4                                0
Round Lake Heights                              5                                0
Round Lake Beach                            19                               4 Vernon Hills                                       47                               0
Winthrop Harbor                              13                               4
Zion                                                            14                                    0
 
                                               
The sale of alcohol to a person under 21 years of age is illegal under local and State laws and is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail, fine or probation.  


Liquor compliance checks are part of an initiative by the Lake County Underage Drinking and Drug Prevention Task Force which was formed to combine the efforts of the Lake County Chiefs of Police Association and the Lake County After School Coalition in the prevention of underage consumption of alcohol and drug use.   This group is made up of a diverse group of citizens including community members, parents, law enforcement personnel and other professionals.