A dozen Bloomington bars face possible revocation of liquor licenses following wild weekend

Posted on November 18, 2020

*Bloomington Mayor Tari Renner also serves as the Liquor Commissioner. (Photo courtesy: WJBC/File)*

By Heart of Illinois ABC

BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington Mayor Tari Renner has issued a summons for 12 bars to appear before the Liquor Commission on Friday, November 20.

These twelve establishments were named in liquor commission complaints Tuesday afternoon signed by Mayor Renner: Windjammer, Cadillac Jack’s, Kaillarney’s, Fat Jack’s, Daddio’s, Drifters, Maguire’s, Chasers, Six Strings, Elroy’s, Mulligan’s, and Reality Bites.

Each of the dozen establishments is accused of two counts: (1) Violation of Required 11:00 PM Closing Hour, and (2) Violation of Prohibition on indoor, on-premise consumption.

Mayor Renner also acts as the Liquor Commissioner in the City of Bloomington. He warned Monday that consequences were coming “swiftly” after video surfaced from Bloomington bars over the weekend showing zero adherence to COVID guidelines including social distancing, mask wearing, indoor consumption, and the 11:00 closing time.

The 11:00 PM rule and prohibition on indoor dining/consumption were put into place during COVID mitigation as cases rise throughout the state.

In the complaint and summons, Mayor Renner is asking all 12 establishments to appear at 4:00 PM Friday at City Hall Council Chambers. They are being asked to “show cause why your license should not be suspended or revoked, or why you should not be fined or not.

Heart of Illinois ABC can be reached at News@WJBC.com.

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