Dupage Policy Journal

Restaurants in the village of Burr Ridge may alter their operations if they have liquor licenses after the village board passes new legislation.

“In essence, these two ordinances intend to in final, create a unified closing time for restaurants with liquor licenses in the business districts in the village of Burr Ridge as has (been) discussed and directed by the board for some time now,” Evan Walter, village administrator 

The Chicago Tribune reported the move came after Kohler spa voluntarily gave up its alcohol license.

The board of trustees for the village of Burr Ridge voted on a pair of motions to make a uniform and non-exemption ordinance that all businesses and restaurants with a liquor license inside of the business district had closing times of midnight and 1 a.m., depending on the day of the week.

The Chicago Tribune added the change will prevent people from getting a license between the time of an expired license and approval for a new license.

“We wanted to make sure we close any possible loophole,” Walter said to the Tribune.

The board did have to research some of the previous zoning regulations for the businesses. While some previously were allowed to be open until 2 a.m., it was only because they received a special permit that allowed them to meet the maximum hours stated in the zoning ordinance, which is the ordinance being amended, so they would not meet any exemption requirements to continue with a 2 a.m. close time.

To learn more about future board meetings, visit the village’s webpage.

The pair of motions, one outlining hours of operation under zoning and one outlining stipulations of the liquor licenses, both passed. Each passed with a vote of 5-0 in favor of the motion. The liquor license ordinance amendment means that they can give the last call one hour before their mandated close time, meaning they give the last call at midnight if they are closing at 1 a.m.