Urbana released its regulations on bars and other liquor providers, which are very similar to Champaign’s regulations, for the weekend of Unofficial St. Patrick’s Day.
Mayor Laurel Prussing said Unofficial has not been a big problem in Urbana because it only has one Campustown bar, the Canopy Club.
While Champaign has plans to restrict liquor sales at restaurants as well, Urbana plans only to restrict sales at Class A liquor licensees, where liquor can be sold in its package or open for consumption on the premises.
“Ours is a support operation rather than a full-scale problem,” Prussing said. “We support Champaign.”
Prussing said Unofficial has become less of a problem over the years, especially concerning disruption to classrooms.
Get The Daily Illini in your inbox!
Many regulations apply to Saturday this year, which is a major change from previous years’ regulations.
Prussing said this increased restriction is because of two students’ deaths during Unofficial weekend, including that of a staff member of The Daily Illini.
But Urbana Chief of Police Patrick Connolly said in a press release that the restriction of 18- to 20-year-olds will end at 2:30 a.m. Saturday, while Champaign’s restrictions will continue on through Sunday morning.
