Riverside police chief opposes to-go cocktails proposal

RIVERSIDE - Riverside Police Chief Thomas Weitzel has written a letter to Illinois Liquor Commission Chairperson Cynthia Berg outlining his objections to the proposed change in legislation for what is being characterized as pre-mixed cocktails "to go."

"A recent focus on bars and restaurants seeking the right to sell pre-mixed cocktails ‘to go’ is of great concern to me as it relates to the temptation of the purchaser to immediately consume the product while in the car,” Weitzel said in the letter.

"Many municipalities have already loosened their restrictions to allow beer and wine to be sold curbside, when you order food, thereby being able to take that liquor home,” Weitzel added. ”A change to the Illinois statutes that would allow pre-mixed cocktails to go is reckless. The Illinois vehicle code container law and driving under the influence statute is clear, a local leader should not have the authority to exempt bars and restaurants from requirements of the Illinois vehicle code.”

Weitzel said it is imperative that this issue go through the legislative process and that all Illinoisans should be able to voice their concerns on this proposed legislative change.

The proposed legislation is being billed as a change to ease financial burdens on bars and restaurants during the COVID-19 pandemic, however, Weitzel said that once the statute is changed it will never go back to its current restrictions.

“My only objection is to the pre-mixed cocktails ‘to go’ proposed law change,” he said.

Weitzel serves as chairman for MADD, Illinois Law Enforcement Committee on Impaired Driving, and is the co-chair of the Illinois Impaired Driving Task Force.