The Downtown area still has liquor access. However, it is still in mortal peril. The ALRC delayed most of the hard decisions on nonrenewal of about a dozen licenses until next week's meeting. However, the committee nevertheless indicated an interest in pursuing serious consequences for some of the licensees, as displayed by its rejection of a settlement worked out between the City Attorney and the attorney for the Lee family, which owns eight different restaurants and liquor stores in the downtown area. State Journal:
The ALRC would still consider a settlement at its June 8 meeting for the business owners, Hyungirl and Jongyean Lee, who were convicted of tax evasion last fall, said ALRC chairman David Hart. After nearly an hour in closed session, Hart said the committee wanted more specificity about a condition saying Jongyean Lee would not be involved in the daily management of the businesses.
Apparently committee members saw the settlement as being too lenient. However, I would say it's unlikely that all eight of those licenses are going to vanish. More likely would be a stiffer fine and serious restrictions on the way the Lees conduct business. Not everybody, including the "21st alder," Rosemary Lee (no relation) is going to be happy. However, city policy-markers know that there are dozens of jobs and a lot of money for the downtown economy in jeopardy.
As for University Ave Liquor...eek. Many counts of providing alcohol to Campus Drank, which sold a bunch of liquor to minors (remember, not real minors). Could UAL plead ignorance? Maybe.
You should read about Campus Drank. It's a very interesting story. I remember throwing a similar idea around with friends back in the early years of college. But promoting the business without drawing attention from law enforcement was always the dilemma that kept the plan a fantasy, not a reality.
