Things May Get Happier At Burr Ridge Bars

BURR RIDGE, IL — Burr Ridge's bars and restaurants are banned from holding happy hours, but that may change.

In 2015, the state reversed its quarter-century ban on happy hours, but towns could keep their prohibitions. Burr Ridge did.

Last year, the village received complaints that some restaurants and bars were advertising happy hours, contrary to the local law, officials said. So the village notified the businesses about the ban.

At Monday's Village Board meeting, trustees agreed to consider allowing happy hours. They acknowledged some establishments held happy hours last year.

"One restaurant does it, and others see it," said Tony Schiappa, a trustee and the village's liquor commissioner. "They're doing what their neighbors are doing. Maybe they're not reading the liquor code."

Under the 2015 state law, bars can have happy hours totaling 15 hours a week. And discounted drinks cannot be offered for more than four hours in any one day. Also, unlimited alcohol promotions are not permitted in public places, but allowed at private events.

Trustee Russell Smith said he favored allowing happy hours.

"I don't want to tie our restaurateurs' hands behind their backs," he said. "We have beautiful restaurants here. We have great restaurateurs. I want to keep that momentum going for the village."

Trustee Guy Franzese questioned why the village allowed "$3 beer specials all day long, but we don't allow a happy hour from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m."

The board agreed to place the topic for a vote on a later meeting agenda.