Happy Hour Specials Now Allowed in Downers Grove

DOWNERS GROVE, IL — The Downers Grove Village Council has amended the village code to allow businesses to offer happy hour specials.

The Liquor Commission recommended the village adopt the same regulations as current state law to reduce confusion and make enforcement easier, according to the ordinance report.

The change aims to help local businesses stay competitive with nearby communities that allow happy hours.

The happy hour conditions include:

• The price of the drink of alcoholic liquor is not changed during the time that it is discounted
• The period of time during which any drink of alcoholic liquor is discounted does not exceed 4 hours per day and 15 hours per week; however, this period of time is not required to be consecutive and may be divided by the licensee in any manner
• The drink of alcoholic liquor is not discounted between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and the licensed premises' closing hour
• Notice of the discount of the drink of alcoholic liquor during a specified time is posted on the licensed premises or on the licensee's publicly available website at least 7 days prior to the specified time.

The ordinance passed 6 to 1, with commissioner William Waldack casting the only dissenting vote.

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