Joe’s Brewery’s liquor license has been suspended, according to the Illinois Liquor Control Commission’s online database. It’s not clear why or when specifically it was suspended.
According to the city of Champaign, establishments are required to have both a city and state liquor license to serve alcohol to patrons. The status of the bar’s city liquor license is unknown, but the state license has been suspended.
State law says the local liquor control commissioner may revoke or suspend any license issued if it is determined that the licensee has violated any of the provisions of 235 ILCS 5/7-5 — the Illinois Liquor Control Act — or local ordinances and policy.
The ILCC conducts regular compliance checks around the state, visiting businesses licensed to sell liquor. They cited 241 businesses for violations of liquor control laws in December 2025.
During the compliance checks, individuals under the age of 21 years, working with ILCC Division of Enforcement staff, attempt to purchase alcohol from liquor-licensed retailers. It’s not clear if a violation of underage drinking laws is what led to the ILCC suspending Joe’s Brewery’s license.
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Fines may also be applied for violators. The first violation is $1,000 within a 12-month period, the second violation within a 12-month period is $1,500 and the licensee can be fined $2,500 for a third or subsequent violation within a 12-month period. Each day a violation continues is a separate violation, per the law. The max fines on any license is $15,000 during the licensure period.
Before the liquor commissioner can revoke or suspend a license, there must be a public hearing with a three-day written notice to the licensee. Within five days after the hearing, the local liquor commissioner shall determine if the license should be revoked or suspended, as well as whether to levy fines against the licensee.
Under state law, within 20 days of the suspension, establishments can appeal the order to the state commission for a decision sustaining, reversing or modifying the order of the local liquor control commissioner.
“If the State commission affirms the local commissioner’s order to suspend or revoke the license at the first hearing, the appellant shall cease to engage in the business for which the license was issued, until the local commissioner’s order is terminated by its own provisions or reversed upon rehearing or by the courts,” the law states.
The Daily Illini attempted to reach Joe’s Brewery for comment via email and phone but has not heard back.
