[ Back ] [ Bottom ]
92_HB1697gms
STATE OF ILLINOIS
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
SPRINGFIELD, 62706
GEORGE H. RYAN
GOVERNOR
July 27, 2001
To the Honorable Members of the
Illinois House of Representatives
92nd General Assembly
Pursuant to Article IV, Section 9 (b) of the Illinois
Constitution of 1970, I hereby veto and return House Bill
1697 entitled "AN ACT in relation to alcoholic liquor."
House Bill 1697 amends the Liquor Control Act of 1934. It
provides that alcoholic liquor may be served or delivered in
any building or facility under the control of the Department
of Natural Resources upon the written approval of the
Director of Natural Resources. It also provides that the
Director of Natural Resources may specify conditions on that
approval.
I fully support opening State government buildings for
constituent use. Current State law regarding comparable
buildings, such as the State Museum, State Library and
Willard Ice Building, set forth specific and mandatory
guidelines when alcohol is to be served in these buildings.
House Bill 1697 lacks these specific guidelines. I certainly
have full faith in the judgement of the Director of Natural
Resources, and I am confident that the intent of the
legislation would have been carried out under as restrictive
conditions, if not more so. However, upon careful reflection
the inconsistency of House Bill 1697 with current law
regarding alcohol use in other State buildings needs to be
reevaluated.
Furthermore, there are currently several other State
government buildings, including the State Museum, fairgrounds
buildings and the State Library, open for constituent use
that have authority to serve alcoholic beverages with
mandatory guildines. These buildings, in addition to local
private establishments, appear to provide a number of venues
for constituent events and receptions where alcohol may be
served.
For these reasons, I hereby veto and return House Bill
1697.
Sincerely,
s/GEORGE H. RYAN
Governor
[ Top ]