I supported the Liquor license amendment which would change current Highland Park law to permit liquor license holders to serve in local government since this issue arose in January 2024.
The catalyst for elected officials and staff discovering that this antiquated, prohibition era law even existed, was former Councilmember Jeff Hoobler. Hoobler was elected to the City Council in April of 2023. He was the top vote-getter in a crowded race because he was well known as a local business owner and ran on a campaign of HOOBLER MEANS BUSINESS – fresh ideas and energy for economic development in Highland Park. The entire City knew he owned a restaurant, a brewing company and had a liquor license.
During discussions to enhance the City’s Liquor laws and add new categories of licensure or permits, the antiquated ban on liquor license holders serving was found. Hoobler resigned from the Council when given the Hobbesian choice of giving up his business or his seat on City Council.
Meantime, after significant research, briefings, a full Committee of the Whole Meeting on adapting Ethics Guidelines to meet this change and data from neighboring communities, corporation counsel presented the city with a one sentence amendment. The amendment to the law cures the problem and brings liquor license holders into the fold – as are marijuana dispensary permit holders and tobacconists.
Additionally, following the receipt of 302 emails from the public, 300 supporting the change, the City Council voted 3-3. Hence a tie, since Councilmember Hoobler recused himself. The amendment therefore failed.
I helped in the petition process to bring this question to the voters.We garnered 2500 signatures to put this question on the ballot. Under Illinois State law, this was an advisory referendum – ask the question of Highland Park voters, but only the City Council can actually change the law.
On November 5th, a huge turnout of Highland Park voters overwhelmingly passed an advisory referendum — with 82% of the vote – clearly and emphatically declaring that this community wants liquor license holders to be able to hold local elected office.Over 17,000residents voted and over 14,000 voted YES. This was the largest consensus in Lake County and the second largest consensus in all of Illinois.
Even with this amazing consensus, close to eleven months of discussion and tens of thousands of dollars in legal fees and staff time, the City Council refused to put this item on the agenda until 2025 and perhaps after the April elections.The amendment does not require an expenditure of city funds, new infrastructure, etc. How many more taxpayer dollars should be wasted after the voters spoke loud and clear?
I will continue to press for this change to Highland Park law. This delay is purely political: keep an entire group of people out of office for another term and suppress the voice of the voters yet again.