Illinois Beer Buying Laws: How Much Can You Purchase?

Illinois is a major player in the beverage alcohol industry, with a thriving craft beer scene, innovative distilleries, and award-winning wineries. The state's local craft beer and spirits blend Midwestern ingenuity with artisanal techniques, utilizing regionally-sourced grains and ingredients.

The state's liquor laws can be complicated, and they are different from those in other states. Illinois is not a dry state, and it does not have any dry counties. The sale of alcohol is not prohibited or heavily restricted in the state, and it is allowed in grocery stores.

In Illinois, you can buy beer for off-premise use from 7 a.m. until 2 a.m. Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. until 3 a.m. on Saturday, and 8 a.m. until 2 a.m. on Sunday. Beer can be purchased for on-premises consumption between 7 a.m. and 2 a.m. Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. and 3 a.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m. through 2 a.m. on Sunday.

The minimum drinking age in Illinois is 21, and minors can drink alcohol in the presence of their parents or guardians in a private residence.

Illinois Liquor Control Commission

The Illinois Liquor Control Commission (ILCC) is responsible for licensing, tax collection and auditing, fee collection, and enforcing the state's laws and regulations. The ILCC oversees all tiers of the alcohol industry, including manufacturers (breweries, wineries, distilleries, cideries, meaderies, and rectifiers), wholesalers or distributors, and retailers (on-premise and off-premise).

All businesses that deal with manufacturing, distributing, selling, or importing alcohol in Illinois must be licensed by the ILCC. In Illinois, all goods must pass through a wholesaler's warehouse before reaching a retailer or consumer. As of 2022, there were over 130 licensed distillers and bottlers, more than 300 active breweries, and 165 wineries in the state.

The ILCC issues approximately 30,000 state liquor licenses each year at various classifications for the three tiers of the liquor industry. The specific regulations and restrictions on alcohol sales vary across different counties and municipalities in Illinois. For example, while Chicago allows alcohol sales until 2 a.m. on weekdays and 3 a.m. on Saturdays, counties outside of Chicago may have different hours within these restrictions.

In terms of purchasing beer specifically, Illinois does not set any particular hours when alcohol sales are illegal. Instead, it is up to each county to determine the permitted hours for sales. In Chicago, beer can be purchased from retailers like liquor stores from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. on weekdays, 7 a.m. to 3 a.m. on Saturdays, and 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Sundays. These retailers can extend their closing time by two hours if they obtain an extended hours permit.

On-premise consumption of beer in bars and restaurants in Chicago is allowed between 7 a.m. and 2 a.m. on weekdays, 7 a.m. and 3 a.m. on Saturdays, and 11 a.m. through 2 a.m. on Sundays. Gas stations in Chicago can sell beer during the same hours as off-premise retailers, and grocery stores can sell beer from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. on weekdays, 7 a.m. to 3 a.m. on Saturdays, and 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Sundays.

While there is no hard restriction on Sunday sales in Illinois, alcohol retailers may open later than on other days. On Sundays, beer can be purchased from off-premise retailers between 8 a.m. and 2 a.m. and from on-premise retailers between 11 a.m. and 2 a.m.

Liquor buying hours

The legal hours for purchasing alcohol in Illinois vary depending on the day of the week and the type of establishment.

Liquor Stores and Retailers

Liquor stores and retailers in Illinois are typically open for alcohol sales from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m., seven days a week. This includes grocery stores, package stores, and some gas stations. These establishments offer alcohol for off-premise consumption, meaning you cannot drink it on the premises.

Bars and Restaurants

Bars and restaurants have slightly different hours for alcohol sales. From Monday to Friday, alcohol can be purchased at these establishments between 7:00 a.m. and 2:00 a.m. On Saturdays, alcohol sales are extended by an hour, until 3:00 a.m. On Sundays, alcohol sales at bars and restaurants begin later, at 11:00 a.m., and continue until 2:00 a.m.

It is important to note that these hours apply specifically to Chicago, and counties outside of Chicago may have different operating hours within these restrictions. Additionally, retailers can extend their closing time by two hours if they obtain an extended hours permit.

Local Variations

While the above hours are standard for Chicago, it is worth noting that each town, city, or village in Illinois can set its own rules regarding liquor licensing and sales. This means that there can be variations in the hours of alcohol sales from one location to another within the state.

For example, some areas may restrict alcohol sales on Sundays before noon, while others may not allow alcohol sales at gas stations. In some cases, there may be restrictions on the days or hours when packaged liquor can be sold in certain towns.

Therefore, it is always a good idea to check the local regulations in the specific area of Illinois you are visiting or planning to purchase alcohol.

Liquor licenses

To obtain a liquor license in Illinois, you must first have a seller's permit. After applying for a liquor license, you must post a public notice of the application on your business premises for 30 days, and in some cases, notify your neighbours or post a notice in the newspaper. Additionally, you will need to show that your business is correctly zoned for an alcohol-selling business. The department will then conduct an investigation into the future business and the applicant, which can take between 30 and 90 days. Licenses are renewed yearly and must be paid on time to remain valid.

The cost of a liquor license in Illinois can range from $750 to $2500, and the process can take anywhere from 40 days to six months. The Illinois Liquor Control Commission (ILCC) is responsible for licensing, tax collection, fee collection, and enforcing the state's laws and regulations. They oversee all tiers, including manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers.

Alcohol taxes

In Illinois, the sale of alcohol is regulated by the state's Liquor Control Commission, which is responsible for licensing, tax collection, auditing, fee collection, and enforcing the state's laws and regulations.

The state imposes a liquor gallonage tax on manufacturers or importing distributors of liquor. The tax rate per gallon is determined by the alcohol content of the beverage. For example, the tax is $0.231 per gallon for beer or cider with an alcohol content between 0.5% and 7%, while it is $8.55 per gallon for liquor with an alcohol content of 20% or higher.

Additionally, Illinois allows for the sale of alcohol in grocery stores, making liquor more widely available compared to other states. The state also permits alcohol deliveries to consumers' homes or designated locations, provided that the recipient is at least 21 years old and the delivery is made by an employee of the retailer or a third-party facilitator licensee.

The state's alcohol regulations also extend to minors, who are allowed to consume alcohol in the presence of their parents or guardians in a private residence. However, minors are not permitted to purchase alcohol. The minimum drinking age in Illinois, as in the rest of the United States, is 21 years old.

Happy hours

Happy hour discounts cannot be offered after 10 pm, and once the promotion has started, the price of drinks cannot be changed. Establishments must also give notice of the discount 7 days prior to the promotion by advertising the drink specials on their premises or on their website.

Happy hour specials can include "meal packages", which combine food and unlimited drinks for a fixed price. These packages can be offered without a time limit for private functions such as weddings and fundraising events, as long as food and alcohol are served in a room designated for the private event. For other events, party packages with alcohol are limited to 3 hours.

Additionally, all alcohol servers and those checking IDs for alcohol service in on-premise establishments (bars, restaurants, banquet halls) in Illinois must complete a BASSET (Beverage Alcohol Sellers/Servers Education & Training) class by a specified date based on the county population.

Frequently asked questions