Dupage Policy Journal

Glendale Heights leaders have rejected a request that would have expanded the alcoholic offerings a village convenience store sells.

The Village Board refused to give the store the green light to sell hard liquor in addition to the beer and wine it already markets.

“Right now they’re selling beer and wine correct?” Glendale Heights Trustee Chester Pojack said during the Nov. 17 meeting, a video of which was uploaded to YouTube. “Now they want to go into hard liquor? Give them the hand, now they want the foot. If you give them that then they’re going to want cannabis too now. ... I’m against it.” 

Residents who attended the board meeting questioned why a store would need a license change after 30 years of being in business, with many saying they didn’t want hard liquor being available at a convenience store in the village limits.  

The board members briefly discussed the license change, and most of the voiced opinions were opposed to it. The vote against the change was 4-2.

The board also had a first reading of development plans for two cannabis dispensaries in the village. Some residents expressed concern about bringing cannabis dispensaries to the village, saying the safety and health of the children were at stake. Others said one location should be permitted, noting that fears of consumers buying products and smoking marijuana in the parking lot were overblown.

The matter will be revisited for a vote at a later meeting.