By Heart of Illinois ABC
BLOOMINGTON – The penalty for a Twin-Cities restaurant and bar will run in the thousands of dollars for defying Gov. JB Pritzker’s COVID-19 restrictions by providing indoor service.
The Normal Town Council, acting as the the town’s liquor commission, voted 5-2 to affirm hearing officer Todd Greenburg’s recommendation for a $1,750 fine against Joe’s Station House and Pizza Pub at The Shoppes of College Hills on Veterans Parkway.
The financial penalties are more than that because Joe’s also has to pay $2,420 for the hearing officer and court reporter. Plus, the business will have to pay the town its regular liquor license fee. The town council recently waived that fee for establishments complying with regulations.
The business violated Pritzker’s executive order by serving customers indoors three times late last year.
Commissioners Stan Nord and Scott Preston were the two members who voted against imposing the fine.
Nord said Joe’s “only real crime” was remaining open in Normal, and Nord said the commission’s action hurts economic development and the government’s relationship with businesses.
“Be a little compassionate,” said Nord.
Preston also voted no saying the establishment did not sell alcohol to minors, or some other direct infraction of the town’s liquor code. He said it should be up to the state government to enforce the governor’s order.
Voting with the majority was Karyn Smith, who said Joe’s owners felt they were above the law.
Kevin McCarthy also voted for the penalties, saying all the other liquor license holders were playing by the rules.
Businesses want a level playing field, McCarthy said.
Joe’s attorney Thomas DeVore indicated he will appeal the local commission’s findings to the Illinois Liquor Control Commission, and possibly file a lawsuit against the town.
Heart of Illinois ABC can be reached at [email protected].
