Urbana issues emergency order concerning Unofficial
sabrina yan The Daily Illini A police officer issues tickets to three people on Fifth Street in the morning on Unofficial St. Patrick’s Day, March 3, 2017. The mayors of Champaign and Urbana are placing further restrictions on the holiday this year.
February 9, 2018
Champaign Mayor and Liquor Commissioner Deborah Feinen signed an Emergency Order concerning Unofficial St. Patrick’s Day beginning on March 2, the day of this year’s student-run holiday.
The order places restrictions on bars and liquor stores in the Champaign area and is based on findings of the local Liquor Control Commission.
Among other restrictions, the order stipulates no bar in Champaign is legally permitted to serve or allow possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages upon their licensed premises between 6-10 a.m. March 2 and March 3.
Bars will be prohibited from selling pitchers of beer, wine and spirits from 10 a.m. March 2 to 2:30 a.m. March 4. Private functions that have drink deals or other privileges will also be banned in this same time frame.
Selling wine by the bottle will also be prohibited during Unofficial.
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Businesses within University Avenue on the north, Wright Street on the east, State Street on the west and Kirby Avenue on the south with a Class P package liquor license or rider that sells package liquor will be prohibited from receiving deliveries of and selling packages of liquor between 6-10 a.m. March 2 and March 3.
No more than one keg will be permitted per residence and no keg permits will be issued from 12:01 a.m. March 2 until 2:30 a.m. March 4.
These times differ from directives given in an order signed by Urbana Mayor Diane Wolfe Marlin, where serving and consumption of alcoholic beverages in bars extends to 11 a.m. March 2 and serving of pitchers can resume after 2:30 a.m. March 3.
“There may be a threat to the public health, safety and welfare from activities by members of the public within geographic areas described herein in response to the promotion of an event that has become locally known as ‘Unofficial St. Patrick’s Day,’” Feinen said in the order.
The order also mandates that patrons below 21 years old will not be allowed into bars from 10 a.m. on March 2 to 2:30 a.m. March 3. The restriction begins again that same day: 10 a.m. March 3 to 2:30 a.m. March 4.
Under the order, if police determine pedestrian traffic impedes vehicular traffic, they are allowed to order any or all liquor-licensed establishments to close until further notice or until the end of the order.
Establishments found in violation of the order will receive a $500 fine per violation.
