SH: Liquor restrictions to begin Friday

Urbana followed Champaign’s lead Wednesday afternoon in restricting liquor sales in anticipation of rioting after the men’s basketball games.

Under the restrictions, bars in Champaign and in Urbana will not be able to sell alcohol until 11 a.m on restricted days. Also, bars will be required to serve alcohol in paper or plastic cups. The paper or plastic cup restriction will include restaurants in Champaign, but not in Urbana. Stores in the restricted area will be prohibited from selling alcoholic beverages in containers smaller than 750 mL (“fifth”-sized) in glass or aluminum containers. Officials have said containers smaller than 750 mL are easier for would-be rioters to throw.

Stores throughout Urbana and Champaign will not be allowed to sell more than one keg of beer to any customer.

The restricted area in Urbana will be between University Avenue on the north, Wright Street on the west, Florida Avenue on the south and Busey Avenue on the east.

Also, restrictions on liquor sales in Campustown will begin Friday morning instead of Saturday, as was previously reported by The Daily Illini as a result of a miscommunication between the city of Champaign and reporters. If the Illinois men’s basketball team wins its Final Four game Saturday against Louisville, the restriction will last until 6 a.m. on Tuesday.

Champaign Mayor Gerald Schweighart announced the restrictions Tuesday night to prevent possible violence related to basketball games. Riots have occurred on several college campuses after NCAA Tournament victories in recent years, including the University of Maryland in 2002 and Michigan State University in 1999 and 2003.

In Champaign, the restrictions apply to bars and stores within the borders of Springfield Avenue on the north, Wright Street on the east and Kirby Avenue on the south. The western border is currently First Street between Kirby Avenue and John Street and Neil Street between John Street and Springfield Avenue.

The western border might change to First Street between Kirby and Springfield avenues, Champaign City Manager Paul Berg said. The decision could be made late Wednesday or early Thursday, he said.

Bars and liquor retailers in the downtowns of Champaign and Urbana will not be included under the restrictions. Berg said the restrictions were placed only in Campustown because riots in other cities have occurred closer to campus areas.

Champaign city officials have indicated that, while they didn’t expect any problems, it was safer to take preventative action.