Illinois Governor enacts permanent cocktails-to-go law

WTWO Terre Haute
Christopher Boyll

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WTWO/WAWV)— Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signed into law a permanent cocktail-to-go law on December 12.
The law allows restaurants to sell mixed drinks and cocktails for delivery and curbside pickup. According to the Illinois Restaurant Association stated that cocktails-to-go helped keep establishments afloat during the pandemic and continue to help restaurants stay competitive.
“We thank Gov. Pritzker and applaud the General Assembly for passing Senate Bill 618, which guarantees that alcohol delivery and cocktails-to-go can continue through 2028 and beyond, preserving a vital source of revenue for restaurants across the state,” said Sam Toia, CEO and President of the Illinois Restaurant Association.
The bill includes safeguards such as strict container requirements and age verification to attempt to ensure responsible service and compliance. The legislation also allows those with a craft brewer license to offer rewards and loyalty programs like mug clubs for their customers.
“Illinois becomes the 30th state, plus Washington, D.C., to make cocktails-to-go permanent. This commonsense policy is a win for restaurants, employees, and customers across Illinois. The modern restaurant consumer is looking to order their meals to-go more often, and allowing operators to include alcoholic beverages as part of those orders provides them with new ways to set themselves apart and to meet customer interest,” said Mike Whatley, Vice President of State Affairs and Grassroots Advocacy, National Restaurant Association.
The bill was voted through unanimously in the State Senate and won 104 to six during the veto session in the House of Representatives.