Kenilworth Ends Alcohol Ban, Allows Liquor Licenses

KENILWORTH, IL — Village Trustees approved an ordinance last week to allow the sale of alcohol for the first time in the 128 years of the town. It technically marks the end of the last "dry" ordinance on the North Shore.

Leaders of the town of 2,500 hope, perhaps, opening the door to liquor licenses will help it attract its first restaurant.

With the change, South Holland is now likely the only remaining municipality in the Chicago area to still ban the sale of alcohol, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Restaurants have been allowed in Kenilworth's small central business district for eight years, Village Manager Patrick Brennan told the paper, but none have opened. He said the new ordinance was approved without opposition.

The change in code means Kenilworth can now issue liquor licenses to restaurants, coffee shops, clubs, special events and Kenilworth Assembly Hall, according to the Tribune. The sale of packaged liquor and sidewalk alcohol sales by holders of a special license were also approved as part of the change.

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