Local Liquor Commission

December 14, 2023 I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL VOTE Chair Pearse called the December 14, 2023 meeting of the Local Liquor Control Commission to order at 7:00 P.M. in the City Council Chambers of the Wheaton City Hall, 303 West Wesley Street and via Zoom. Upon roll call, the following were present: Commissioner Brown, Chair Pearse, Commissioner Sender and Commissioner Taylor. Absent: Commissioner Whitmer City Staff Present: James P. Kozik, Director of Planning and Economic Development. II. PUBLIC COMMENT There was no public comment. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – October 12, 2023 Commissioner Brown moved and Commissioner Taylor seconded a motion to approved the minutes of the October 12, 2023 Local Liquor Control Commission meeting as submitted. On a voice vote, all voted aye. IV. NEW BUSINESS 2024 License Renewals - Section 6-90 of the Wheaton City Code Mr. Kozik explained that Section 6-90 of the Wheaton City Code requires that licensees found guilty of a violation in the previous year, must attend a liquor license renewal meeting before the Local Liquor Commission prior to a license renewal. Mr. Kozik stated that each licensee should address what steps they have taken since their violation to ensure that future violations do not occur. Aldi, Inc. Mr. Justin Mungee, District Manager for Aldi, stated that since its violation, this Aldi location has implemented a “No ID – No Sale” policy. Mr. Mungee also stated that all employees involved with the sale of alcohol have been retrained, and the Store Manager and Assistant Store Manager review the video from transactions to ensure compliance with store policy. Regarding a question from Commissioner Taylor regarding self-checkout, Mr. Mungee stated that all such transactions require a manager intervention. Hearing no questions or comments, Commissioner Brown moved and Commissioner Taylor seconded a motion to recommend a renewal of Aldi, Inc. license for 2024. On a roll call vote, all voted aye. WHEATON LIQUOR CONTROL COMMISSION MEETING December 14, 2023 Front Street Grill, LLC d/b/a Ditka's Grill Mr. Tony Ficorilli, Vice President of Operations/Partner for Ditka's Restaurant Group, stated that Ditka’s took their past infraction very seriously. Mr. Ficorilli stated that the restaurant has implemented a BASSET Certification tracking system to ensure all employees involved in the sale of alcohol are properly trained and that every day during pre-shift meetings, ID checking is discussed. Hearing no questions or comments, Commissioner Taylor moved and Commissioner Brown seconded a motion to recommend a renewal of Front Street Grill, LLC d/b/a Ditka's Grill license for 2024. On a roll call vote, all voted aye. Warren’s Ale House LLC Ms. Collen Maffia, General Manager for Warren’s Ale House LLC, stated that the individual charged with the infraction and all others involved in the sale of alcohol have been retrained. Ms. Maffia stated that ID checking visuals have been posted in the bar and servers station and their pre-shift meetings include discussions about ID checking procedures. In response to a question by Chair Taylor, Ms. Maffia stated that ID’s are checked for any customer who appears under the age of 40. Hearing no questions or comments, Commissioner Brown moved and Commissioner Sender seconded a motion to recommend a renewal of Warren’s Ale House LLC license for 2024. On a roll call vote, all voted aye. MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS There was no miscellaneous business. VI. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:11 P.M. Respectfully submitted, James P. Kozik, AICP Director of Planning and Economic Development