McHenry City Council to consider car wash liquor license, raffle ordinance

The McHenry City Council will meet Monday to consider a liquor license for a car wash, a referendum to add funds for a parks expansion and an amendment to the city's raffle payout ordinance to accommodate the $1.24 million Queen of Hearts raffle at the McHenry Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4600.

Fast Eddie’s Car Wash & Detail Center, 2150 N. Richmond Road, wants a Class A1 liquor license so it can begin to serve wine and allow video gambling.

Joe and Kim Doherty own the business and are planning an expansion.

The car wash has been in operation for about 20 years in McHenry. Since its opening, the business has begun selling retail items and installed Illinois Lottery machines in the waiting room, according to city documents.

The company now plans to expand the building and add another wash lane.

The area that would offer on-site wine service and video gambling would be restricted to people 21 and older, and customers would be limited to two drinks, according to city documents.

Customers can experience up to four hours of wait time at the business, depending on what services they are receiving, the owners have said.

“After two years of perfecting this plan, we feel video gaming at Fast Eddie’s would provide a great diversion for those who would like to game,” the owners said in a letter to City Council members. “It would make their wait time with us more enjoyable.”

The council also will consider upping the maximum gross cash prize for a raffle to $3 million. The city has amended the ordinance twice in the past year to accommodate the growing Queen of Hearts raffle pot.

Moreover, the city also could ask residents to pay an additional $180 in property taxes to support a $30 million project to expand recreation options.

The project could include construction of a new gymnasium, walking track and indoor pool. If approved, the referendum would be on the general election ballot in November.

The City Council will meet at 7 p.m. Monday at the McHenry Municipal Center, 333 S. Green St.