By Adam Studzinski

NORMAL – The Normal Town Council gave approval Monday night to some changes in the town’s liquor code.

The town is clarifying what exactly qualifies as a restaurant, as City Manager Mark Peterson explained it wasn’t always clear in the code.

“The concern is mostly for those who want to have a liquor license,” said Peterson. “A microwave oven does not qualify you to be a restaurant under these standards.”

Unlike Bloomington, Normal does not have tavern liquor licenses, meaning if a business wants a license it needs to be a restaurant.

The new ordinance states a business must have appropriate commercial grade equipment in its kitchen, such as a range, oven, and fryer. It also requires five different meals to be available during meal times, with at least three of the five having a main course or entree.

The council also voted to streamline the process for Illinois State University and Heartland Community College to host events where they serve alcohol. Peterson said previously the schools needed to apply for a special license for every event serving alcohol, which has been cumbersome.

“It just made it easier for them and frankly easier for us,” he said.

Now the schools will only need to apply for a special license once per year and they will be able to host events with alcohol as long as the event is on a property owned by the institution.

Additionally, a new rule the council approved states any establishment seeking a video gaming license cannot be within 200 feet of a single family neighborhood. The rule does not apply to any business already with a gaming license.

Adam Studzinski can be reached at [email protected].