Champaign Liquor License Fee Increase

From the News-Gazette

Champaign council approves increase in liquor license fees

CHAMPAIGN – The cost of selling liquor for Champaign business owners will rise incrementally during the next four years after city council members Tuesday voted 6-3 to increase licensing fees.

The first round of occupancy-based increases will begin on Nov. 1, according to city documents. At that time, the cap on bar licenses will rise from $3,500 to $4,000 and the base fee for some restaurants will go up from $1,250 to $1,550.

Similar increases will occur every November until 2013.

That's about an increase of $2 a day. It may be an initial hard hit on the owners, but it should level out quickly.

Michael Murphy, owner of Mike N Molly's bar in downtown Champaign, said the increase is not likely to affect the price of drinks significantly. Other factors, like distributor prices and a slow economy, are much more likely to do so.

"This probably won't be the thing to make prices go up," Murphy said.

Of course, some places may use it as an excuse to raise prices.

During the meeting, Murphy told the council about his concerns with another topic: licenses for outdoor seating on city property. Mike N Molly's has seating on private property, and he said he pays much more for those seats than would a cafe with seats on a public sidewalk.

"I would like to see the playing field become a little more level," Murphy said.

Teri Legner, the city's economic development manager and deputy liquor commissioner, explained to the council that outdoor seating licensing fees were set when outdoor seating was first allowed more than 10 years ago and had not changed since then.

"It's probably the time to look at that," Legner said.

I can understand Murph's problem, he's got one of the largest beer gardens in town.

Alcohol in the news: Champaign Liquor License Fees Could Go Up

From WCIA 3, Illinoishomepage.net

Champaign Liquor License Fees Could Go Up

CHAMPAIGN- On Tuesday Chamapign City Council memebers will vote on whether to increase liquor license fees for a second year.

Raising the fee could generate $158,000 for the the city.

If this is passed it would go into effect November 1st.

If prices were to go up restaurants and bars could increase prices, but its completely up to the owners.

In the WCIA clip, you can see Blind Pig, Esquire Lounge, and Radio Maria.

Apparently the rate can go up from $3500 to $4000 a year.

From WICD 15 ABC.

City Council Discusses Liquor Fee Increase. (no direct link to video)

Tonight, the Champaign City Council will tackle whether or not to continue increasing the city's liquor license fee. .Mayor Jerry Schweighart says it's been a while since the city raised its fees, which he says are lower than other local towns. Over the five years, the increases are estimated to generate $158,000 of new revenue for the city.

In the WICD clip, you see inside Jupiters (I can't tell if it's at the Crossing, or downtown)

Alcohol in the news; Champaign council backs continuing increases on liquor license costs

From the News-Gazette

Champaign council backs continuing increases on liquor license costs

The higher fee schedule was introduced last year as one way to deal with a $6 million budget gap, and in a 7-2 vote Tuesday, the city council reaffirmed its support for the program as the city readies itself to adopt another tight budget.

The liquor licensing and enforcement process is expensive, said Deputy Liquor Commissioner Teri Legner. The proposed increases will generate more than $78,000 in extra revenues from about 180 liquor licensees during the next four years.

alcohol in the news; Champaign considers liquor license increases

From WICD 15 ABC

Champaign Considers Liquor License Increases

Nothing new in this story, just a different outlet for getting the news.

Alcohol in the News; Drinking Alcohol could cost more in champaign

From WICD 15 ABC

Drinking Alcohol Could Cost More In Champaign

(no video)

Champaign-- Drinking alcohol in Champaign could cost more in the future.
That's if the Champaign City Council approves a liquor license increase.
The city council will talk about a proposed increase on Tuesday night.
It's all part of a five year plan to increase the city of Champaign's liquor license revenue by over 25 percent.
Last year, increased fees made the city nearly 40 thousand bucks.
They hope by 2014 to make over 100-thousand dollars more per year.
But some warn the increased costs to restaurants and bars could be passed on to customers.