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Illinois Compiled Statutes

Information maintained by the Legislative Reference Bureau
Updating the database of the Illinois Compiled Statutes (ILCS) is an ongoing process. Recent laws may not yet be included in the ILCS database, but they are found on this site as Public Acts soon after they become law. For information concerning the relationship between statutes and Public Acts, refer to the Guide.

Because the statute database is maintained primarily for legislative drafting purposes, statutory changes are sometimes included in the statute database before they take effect. If the source note at the end of a Section of the statutes includes a Public Act that has not yet taken effect, the version of the law that is currently in effect may have already been removed from the database and you should refer to that Public Act to see the changes made to the current law.

LIQUOR
(235 ILCS 5/) Liquor Control Act of 1934.

235 ILCS 5/7-13

    (235 ILCS 5/7-13) (from Ch. 43, par. 156)
    Sec. 7-13. Granting licenses after revocation; waiting period; discretion. When any license shall have been revoked for any cause, no license shall be granted to any person for the period of one year thereafter for the conduct of the business of manufacturing, distributing, or selling alcoholic liquor in the premises described in the revoked license unless the revocation order has been vacated or unless the revocation order was entered as to the licensee only.
    Nothing in this Section shall prohibit the issuance of a retail license authorizing the sale of alcoholic liquor incidental to a restaurant if (1) the primary business of the restaurant consists of the sale of food where the sale of liquor is incidental to the sale of food and the applicant is a completely new owner of the restaurant, (2) the immediately prior owner or operator of the premises where the restaurant is located operated the premises as a restaurant and held a valid retail license authorizing the sale of alcoholic liquor at the restaurant for at least part of the 24 months before the change of ownership, and (3) the restaurant is located 75 or more feet from a school.
(Source: P.A. 91-623, eff. 1-1-00.)

235 ILCS 5/7-14

    (235 ILCS 5/7-14) (from Ch. 43, par. 157)
    Sec. 7-14. Separate license for each premise; transfer to other premises. Licenses issued hereunder apply only to the premises described in the application and in the license issued thereon, and only one location shall be so described in each license. After a license has been granted for particular premises, the State Commission or the local commissioner, as the case may be, upon proper showing, may endorse upon said license permission to abandon the premises therein described and remove therefrom to other premises approved by him or it, but in order to obtain such approval the licensee shall file with the State Commission and local commissioner a request in writing and a statement under oath which shall show that the premises to which removal is to be made comply in all respects with the requirements of this Act. A transfer may only be requested to a premise within the same jurisdiction that issued the original local liquor license.
(Source: P.A. 89-250, eff. 1-1-96.)

235 ILCS 5/Art. VIIA

 
    (235 ILCS 5/Art. VIIA heading)
ARTICLE VIIA. WAREHOUSES

235 ILCS 5/7A-1

    (235 ILCS 5/7A-1) (from Ch. 43, par. 157a)
    Sec. 7A-1. For the purposes of this Article:
    "Warehouse" means any room, house, structure, building, place, yard or protected enclosure wherein personal property belonging to another is stored for a compensation.
    "Warehouseman" means any person, firm, partnership, association or corporation owning, controlling, operating, managing or leasing any warehouse within this State.
    "For compensation" means any direct or indirect charge for storage.
(Source: P.A. 82-783.)

235 ILCS 5/7A-2

    (235 ILCS 5/7A-2) (from Ch. 43, par. 157b)
    Sec. 7A-2. On and after August 1, 1937, it shall be unlawful for any warehouseman to receive, hold, store or deliver any alcoholic liquors without a certificate of registration from the Department. Application for a certificate of registration shall be made to the Department and shall state: (1) The name of the applicant; (2) the address of his warehouse (if he operates more than one such warehouse, he shall state the address of each such warehouse). Upon the receipt of the application in proper form, the Department shall issue to such applicant a certificate of registration bearing a distinctive number which he shall conspicuously display on the premises for which it is issued. The applications shall be made on forms prepared and furnished by the Department and shall contain such other information as the Department may reasonably require to carry out the provisions of this Act.
(Source: P.A. 82-783.)

235 ILCS 5/7A-3

    (235 ILCS 5/7A-3) (from Ch. 43, par. 157c)
    Sec. 7A-3. It shall be unlawful for any person to store any alcoholic liquors with or deliver any alcoholic liquors to any warehouseman who has not received a certificate of registration from the Department.
(Source: P.A. 82-783.)

235 ILCS 5/7A-4

    (235 ILCS 5/7A-4) (from Ch. 43, par. 157d)
    Sec. 7A-4. On or before the fifteenth day of each calendar month, every warehouseman holding a certificate of registration under this Article shall file a return with the Department covering the preceding calendar month stating:
    1. The name of the warehouseman and the number of his certificate of registration;
    2. The address of the warehouse;
    3. The name and address of each person from whom any alcoholic liquors were actually or constructively received by him as a warehouseman, the date on which same were so received, the number and size of the containers in which any alcoholic liquors were so received, and the number and size of the containers to the credit of each such person at the end of the preceding calendar month; and
    4. The name and address of each person to whom any alcoholic liquors were actually or constructively delivered by him as a warehouseman, the date on which same were so delivered, the number and size of the containers in which any alcoholic liquors were so delivered and from whom any alcoholic liquors so delivered were actually or constructively received.
(Source: P.A. 82-783.)

235 ILCS 5/7A-5

    (235 ILCS 5/7A-5) (from Ch. 43, par. 157e)
    Sec. 7A-5. Each warehouseman included in this Article shall keep or cause to be kept, at his registered address, a record showing all alcoholic liquors actually or constructively received by him as a warehouseman, held, stored or actually or constructively delivered by him as a warehouseman, the name and address of the person depositing same, the name and address of the person to whom delivered and any other information necessary to the proper conduct of such warehouse. Such records shall, at all times during business hours of the day, be subject to inspection by the Department or its duly authorized agents and employees. Such records shall be preserved for a period of two (2) years, unless the Department, in writing, authorizes their destruction or disposal at an earlier date. Such records, reflecting business done at any time after July 1, 1945, shall be preserved for a period of three (3) years, unless the Department, in writing, authorizes their destruction or disposal at an earlier date.
(Source: P.A. 82-783.)

235 ILCS 5/7A-6

    (235 ILCS 5/7A-6) (from Ch. 43, par. 157f)
    Sec. 7A-6. Any person who violates any of the provisions of this Article or any of the rules and regulations of the Department for the administration and enforcement of the provisions of this Article is guilty of a Class B misdemeanor. In case of a continuing violation each day's continuance thereof shall be a separate and distinct offense.
(Source: P.A. 82-783.)

235 ILCS 5/Art. VIII

 
    (235 ILCS 5/Art. VIII heading)
ARTICLE VIII. TAXATION OF LIQUOR

235 ILCS 5/8-1

    (235 ILCS 5/8-1)
    Sec. 8-1. A tax is imposed upon the privilege of engaging in business as a manufacturer or as an importing distributor of alcoholic liquor other than beer at the rate of $0.185 per gallon until September 1, 2009 and $0.231 per gallon beginning September 1, 2009 for cider containing not less than 0.5% alcohol by volume nor more than 7% alcohol by volume, $0.73 per gallon until September 1, 2009 and $1.39 per gallon beginning September 1, 2009 for wine other than cider containing less than 7% alcohol by volume, and $4.50 per gallon until September 1, 2009 and $8.55 per gallon beginning September 1, 2009 on alcohol and spirits manufactured and sold or used by such manufacturer, or as agent for any other person, or sold or used by such importing distributor, or as agent for any other person. A tax is imposed upon the privilege of engaging in business as a manufacturer of beer or as an importing distributor of beer at the rate of $0.185 per gallon until September 1, 2009 and $0.231 per gallon beginning September 1, 2009 on all beer, regardless of alcohol by volume, manufactured and sold or used by such manufacturer, or as agent for any other person, or sold or used by such importing distributor, or as agent for any other person. Any brewer manufacturing beer in this State shall be entitled to and given a credit or refund of 75% of the tax imposed on each gallon of beer up to 4.9 million gallons per year in any given calendar year for tax paid or payable on beer produced and sold in the State of Illinois.
    For purposes of this Section, "beer" means beer, ale, porter, stout, and other similar fermented beverages of any name or description containing one-half of one percent or more of alcohol by volume, brewed or produced from malt, wholly or in part, or from any substitute for malt.
    For the purpose of this Section, "cider" means any alcoholic beverage obtained by the alcohol fermentation of the juice of apples or pears including, but not limited to, flavored, sparkling, or carbonated cider.
    The credit or refund created by this Act shall apply to all beer taxes in the calendar years 1982 through 1986.
    The increases made by this amendatory Act of the 91st General Assembly in the rates of taxes imposed under this Section shall apply beginning on July 1, 1999.
    A tax at the rate of 1¢ per gallon on beer and 48¢ per gallon on alcohol and spirits is also imposed upon the privilege of engaging in business as a retailer or as a distributor who is not also an importing distributor with respect to all beer and all alcohol and spirits owned or possessed by such retailer or distributor when this amendatory Act of 1969 becomes effective, and with respect to which the additional tax imposed by this amendatory Act upon manufacturers and importing distributors does not apply. Retailers and distributors who are subject to the additional tax imposed by this paragraph of this Section shall be required to inventory such alcoholic liquor and to pay this additional tax in a manner prescribed by the Department.
    The provisions of this Section shall be construed to apply to any importing distributor engaging in business in this State, whether licensed or not.
    However, such tax is not imposed upon any such business as to any alcoholic liquor shipped outside Illinois by an Illinois licensed manufacturer or importing distributor, nor as to any alcoholic liquor delivered in Illinois by an Illinois licensed manufacturer or importing distributor to a purchaser for immediate transportation by the purchaser to another state into which the purchaser has a legal right, under the laws of such state, to import such alcoholic liquor, nor as to any alcoholic liquor other than beer sold by one Illinois licensed manufacturer or importing distributor to another Illinois licensed manufacturer or importing distributor to the extent to which the sale of alcoholic liquor other than beer by one Illinois licensed manufacturer or importing distributor to another Illinois licensed manufacturer or importing distributor is authorized by the licensing provisions of this Act, nor to alcoholic liquor whether manufactured in or imported into this State when sold to a "non-beverage user" licensed by the State for use in the manufacture of any of the following when they are unfit for beverage purposes:
    Patent and proprietary medicines and medicinal, antiseptic, culinary and toilet preparations;
    Flavoring extracts and syrups and food products;
    Scientific, industrial and chemical products, excepting denatured alcohol;
    Or for scientific, chemical, experimental or mechanical purposes;
    Nor is the tax imposed upon the privilege of engaging in any business in interstate commerce or otherwise, which business may not, under the Constitution and Statutes of the United States, be made the subject of taxation by this State.
    The tax herein imposed shall be in addition to all other occupation or privilege taxes imposed by the State of Illinois or political subdivision thereof.
    If any alcoholic liquor manufactured in or imported into this State is sold to a licensed manufacturer or importing distributor by a licensed manufacturer or importing distributor to be used solely as an ingredient in the manufacture of any beverage for human consumption, the tax imposed upon such purchasing manufacturer or importing distributor shall be reduced by the amount of the taxes which have been paid by the selling manufacturer or importing distributor under this Act as to such alcoholic liquor so used to the Department of Revenue.
    If any person received any alcoholic liquors from a manufacturer or importing distributor, with respect to which alcoholic liquors no tax is imposed under this Article, and such alcoholic liquor shall thereafter be disposed of in such manner or under such circumstances as may cause the same to become the base for the tax imposed by this Article, such person shall make the same reports and returns, pay the same taxes and be subject to all other provisions of this Article relating to manufacturers and importing distributors.
    Nothing in this Article shall be construed to require the payment to the Department of the taxes imposed by this Article more than once with respect to any quantity of alcoholic liquor sold or used within this State.
    No tax is imposed by this Act on sales of alcoholic liquor by Illinois licensed foreign importers to Illinois licensed importing distributors.
    All of the proceeds of the additional tax imposed by Public Act 96-34 shall be deposited by the Department into the Capital Projects Fund. The remainder of the tax imposed by this Act shall be deposited by the Department into the General Revenue Fund.
    A manufacturer of beer that imports or transfers beer into this State must comply with the provisions of this Section with regard to the beer imported into this State.
    The provisions of this Section 8-1 are severable under Section 1.31 of the Statute on Statutes.
(Source: P.A. 100-885, eff. 8-14-18; 101-16, eff. 6-14-19.)

235 ILCS 5/8-2

    (235 ILCS 5/8-2) (from Ch. 43, par. 159)
    Sec. 8-2. Payments; reports. It is the duty of each manufacturer with respect to alcoholic liquor produced or imported by such manufacturer, or purchased tax-free by such manufacturer from another manufacturer or importing distributor, and of each importing distributor as to alcoholic liquor purchased by such importing distributor from foreign importers or from anyone from any point in the United States outside of this State or purchased tax-free from another manufacturer or importing distributor, to pay the tax imposed by Section 8-1 to the Department of Revenue on or before the 15th day of the calendar month following the calendar month in which such alcoholic liquor is sold or used by such manufacturer or by such importing distributor other than in an authorized tax-free manner or to pay that tax electronically as provided in this Section.
    Each manufacturer and each importing distributor shall make payment under one of the following methods: (1) on or before the 15th day of each calendar month, file in person or by United States first-class mail, postage pre-paid, with the Department of Revenue, on forms prescribed and furnished by the Department, a report in writing in such form as may be required by the Department in order to compute, and assure the accuracy of, the tax due on all taxable sales and uses of alcoholic liquor occurring during the preceding month. Payment of the tax in the amount disclosed by the report shall accompany the report or, (2) on or before the 15th day of each calendar month, electronically file with the Department of Revenue, on forms prescribed and furnished by the Department, an electronic report in such form as may be required by the Department in order to compute, and assure the accuracy of, the tax due on all taxable sales and uses of alcoholic liquor occurring during the preceding month. An electronic payment of the tax in the amount disclosed by the report shall accompany the report. A manufacturer or distributor who files an electronic report and electronically pays the tax imposed pursuant to Section 8-1 to the Department of Revenue on or before the 15th day of the calendar month following the calendar month in which such alcoholic liquor is sold or used by that manufacturer or importing distributor other than in an authorized tax-free manner shall pay to the Department the amount of the tax imposed pursuant to Section 8-1, less a discount which is allowed to reimburse the manufacturer or importing distributor for the expenses incurred in keeping and maintaining records, preparing and filing the electronic returns, remitting the tax, and supplying data to the Department upon request.
    The discount shall be in an amount as follows:
        (1) For original returns due on or after January 1,
    
2003 through September 30, 2003, the discount shall be 1.75% or $1,250 per return, whichever is less;
        (2) For original returns due on or after October 1,
    
2003 through September 30, 2004, the discount shall be 2% or $3,000 per return, whichever is less; and
        (3) For original returns due on or after October 1,
    
2004, the discount shall be 2% or $2,000 per return, whichever is less.
    The Department may, if it deems it necessary in order to insure the payment of the tax imposed by this Article, require returns to be made more frequently than and covering periods of less than a month. Such return shall contain such further information as the Department may reasonably require.
    It shall be presumed that all alcoholic liquors acquired or made by any importing distributor or manufacturer have been sold or used by him in this State and are the basis for the tax imposed by this Article unless proven, to the satisfaction of the Department, that such alcoholic liquors are (1) still in the possession of such importing distributor or manufacturer, or (2) prior to the termination of possession have been lost by theft or through unintentional destruction, or (3) that such alcoholic liquors are otherwise exempt from taxation under this Act.
    If any payment provided for in this Section exceeds the manufacturer's or importing distributor's liabilities under this Act, as shown on an original report, the manufacturer or importing distributor may credit such excess payment against liability subsequently to be remitted to the Department under this Act, in accordance with reasonable rules adopted by the Department. If the Department subsequently determines that all or any part of the credit taken was not actually due to the manufacturer or importing distributor, the manufacturer's or importing distributor's discount shall be reduced by an amount equal to the difference between the discount as applied to the credit taken and that actually due, and the manufacturer or importing distributor shall be liable for penalties and interest on such difference.
    The Department may require any foreign importer to file monthly information returns, by the 15th day of the month following the month which any such return covers, if the Department determines this to be necessary to the proper performance of the Department's functions and duties under this Act. Such return shall contain such information as the Department may reasonably require.
    Every manufacturer and importing distributor, except for a manufacturer or importing distributor that in the preceding year had less than $50,000 of tax liability under this Article, shall also file, with the Department, a bond in an amount not less than $1,000 and not to exceed $100,000 on a form to be approved by, and with a surety or sureties satisfactory to, the Department. Such bond shall be conditioned upon the manufacturer or importing distributor paying to the Department all monies becoming due from such manufacturer or importing distributor under this Article. The Department shall fix the penalty of such bond in each case, taking into consideration the amount of alcoholic liquor expected to be sold and used by such manufacturer or importing distributor, and the penalty fixed by the Department shall be sufficient, in the Department's opinion, to protect the State of Illinois against failure to pay any amount due under this Article, but the amount of the penalty fixed by the Department shall not exceed twice the amount of tax liability of a monthly return, nor shall the amount of such penalty be less than $1,000. The Department shall notify the State Commission of the Department's approval or disapproval of any such manufacturer's or importing distributor's bond, or of the termination or cancellation of any such bond, or of the Department's direction to a manufacturer or importing distributor that he must file additional bond in order to comply with this Section. The Commission shall not issue a license to any applicant for a manufacturer's or importing distributor's license unless the Commission has received a notification from the Department showing that such applicant has filed a satisfactory bond with the Department hereunder and that such bond has been approved by the Department. Failure by any licensed manufacturer or importing distributor to keep a satisfactory bond in effect with the Department or to furnish additional bond to the Department, when required hereunder by the Department to do so, shall be grounds for the revocation or suspension of such manufacturer's or importing distributor's license by the Commission. If a manufacturer or importing distributor fails to pay any amount due under this Article, his bond with the Department shall be deemed forfeited, and the Department may institute a suit in its own name on such bond.
    After notice and opportunity for a hearing the State Commission may revoke or suspend the license of any manufacturer or importing distributor who fails to comply with the provisions of this Section. Notice of such hearing and the time and place thereof shall be in writing and shall contain a statement of the charges against the licensee. Such notice may be given by United States registered or certified mail with return receipt requested, addressed to the person concerned at his last known address and shall be given not less than 7 days prior to the date fixed for the hearing. An order revoking or suspending a license under the provisions of this Section may be reviewed in the manner provided in Section 7-10 of this Act. No new license shall be granted to a person whose license has been revoked for a violation of this Section or, in case of suspension, shall such suspension be terminated until he has paid to the Department all taxes and penalties which he owes the State under the provisions of this Act.
    Every manufacturer or importing distributor who has, as verified by the Department, continuously complied with the conditions of the bond under this Act for a period of 2 years shall be considered to be a prior continuous compliance taxpayer. In determining the consecutive period of time for qualification as a prior continuous compliance taxpayer, any consecutive period of time of qualifying compliance immediately prior to the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1987 shall be credited to any manufacturer or importing distributor.
    A manufacturer or importing distributor that is a prior continuous compliance taxpayer under this Section and becomes a successor as the result of an acquisition, merger, or consolidation of a manufacturer or importing distributor shall be deemed to be a prior continuous compliance taxpayer with respect to the acquired, merged, or consolidated entity.
    Every prior continuous compliance taxpayer shall be exempt from the bond requirements of this Act until the Department has determined the taxpayer to be delinquent in the filing of any return or deficient in the payment of any tax under this Act. Any taxpayer who fails to pay an admitted or established liability under this Act may also be required to post bond or other acceptable security with the Department guaranteeing the payment of such admitted or established liability.
    The Department shall discharge any surety and shall release and return any bond or security deposit assigned, pledged or otherwise provided to it by a taxpayer under this Section within 30 days after: (1) such taxpayer becomes a prior continuous compliance taxpayer; or (2) such taxpayer has ceased to collect receipts on which he is required to remit tax to the Department, has filed a final tax return, and has paid to the Department an amount sufficient to discharge his remaining tax liability as determined by the Department under this Act.
(Source: P.A. 100-1171, eff. 1-4-19; 101-37, eff. 7-3-19.)

235 ILCS 5/8-3

    (235 ILCS 5/8-3) (from Ch. 43, par. 159a)
    Sec. 8-3. If it appears, after claim therefor filed with the Department, that an amount of tax or penalty or interest has been paid which was not due under this Article, whether as the result of a mistake of fact or an error of law, except as hereinafter provided, then the Department shall issue a credit memorandum or refund to the person who made the erroneous payment or, if that person died or became a person under legal disability, to his or her legal representative, as such.
    If it is determined that the Department should issue a credit or refund under this Article, the Department may first apply the amount thereof against any amount of tax or penalty or interest due hereunder from the person entitled to such credit or refund. For this purpose, if proceedings are pending to determine whether or not any tax or penalty or interest is due under this Article from such person, the Department may withhold issuance of the credit or refund pending the final disposition of such proceedings and may apply such credit or refund against any amount found to be due to the Department as a result of such proceedings. The balance, if any, of the credit or refund shall be issued to the person entitled thereto.
    If no tax or penalty or interest is due and no proceeding is pending to determine whether such taxpayer is indebted to the Department for tax or penalty or interest the credit memorandum or refund shall be issued to the claimant; or (in the case of a credit memorandum) the credit memorandum may be assigned and set over by the lawful holder thereof, subject to reasonable rules of the Department, to any other person who is subject to this Article, and the amount thereof shall be applied by the Department against any tax or penalty or interest due or to become due under this Article from such assignee.
    As to any claim filed hereunder with the Department on and after each January 1 and July 1, no amount of tax or penalty or interest, erroneously paid (either in total or partial liquidation of a tax or penalty or interest under this Article) more than 3 years prior to such January 1 and July 1, respectively, shall be credited or refunded. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act to the contrary, for any period included in a claim for credit or refund for which the statute of limitations for issuing a notice of tax liability under this Act will expire less than 6 months after the date a taxpayer files the claim for credit or refund, the statute of limitations is automatically extended for 6 months from the date it would have otherwise expired.
    Any credit or refund that is allowed under this Act shall bear interest at the rate and in the manner specified in the Uniform Penalty and Interest Act.
    In case the Department determines that the claimant is entitled to a refund, such refund shall be made only from such appropriation as may be available for that purpose. If it appears unlikely that the amount appropriated would permit everyone having a claim allowed during the period covered by such appropriation to elect to receive a cash refund, the Department, by rule or regulation, shall provide for the payment of refunds in hardship cases and shall define what types of cases qualify as hardship cases.
(Source: P.A. 102-40, eff. 6-25-21.)

235 ILCS 5/8-4

    (235 ILCS 5/8-4) (from Ch. 43, par. 163)
    Sec. 8-4. If a person fails to file a return as required by this Article, or having filed an incorrect or insufficient return, fails to file a corrected or sufficient return, as the case may require, within 10 days after the giving of notice to him by the Department that such corrected or sufficient return is required, the Department shall determine the amount of tax due at any time within 3 years after the making of the earliest disposition of alcoholic liquor included in such determination, and shall give written notice, by means of a notice of tax liability, of such determination to such person. Protest thereto and demand for a hearing may be made and final assessments arrived at in accordance with Section 8-5.
(Source: P.A. 82-783.)

235 ILCS 5/8-5

    (235 ILCS 5/8-5) (from Ch. 43, par. 163a)
    Sec. 8-5. As soon as practicable after any return is filed, the Department shall examine such return or amended return and shall correct such return according to its best judgment and information, which return so corrected by the Department shall be prima facie correct and shall be prima facie evidence of the correctness of the amount of tax due, as shown therein. Instead of requiring the licensee to file an amended return, the Department may simply notify the licensee of the correction or corrections it has made. Proof of such correction by the Department, or of the determination of the amount of tax due as provided in Sections 8-4 and 8-10, may be made at any hearing before the Department or in any legal proceeding by a reproduced copy of the Department's record relating thereto in the name of the Department under the certificate of the Director of Revenue. Such reproduced copy shall, without further proof, be admitted into evidence before the Department or in any legal proceeding and shall be prima facie proof of the correctness of the amount of tax due, as shown therein. If the return so corrected by the Department discloses the sale or use, by a licensed manufacturer or importing distributor, of alcoholic liquors as to which the tax provided for in this Article should have been paid, but has not been paid, in excess of the alcoholic liquors reported as being taxable by the licensee, and as to which the proper tax was paid the Department shall notify the licensee that it shall issue the taxpayer a notice of tax liability for the amount of tax claimed by the Department to be due, together with penalties at the rates prescribed by Sections 3-3, 3-5 and 3-6 of the Uniform Penalty and Interest Act, which amount of tax shall be equivalent to the amount of tax which, at the prescribed rate per gallon, should have been paid with respect to the alcoholic liquors disposed of in excess of those reported as being taxable. No earlier than 90 days after the due date of the return, the Department may compare filed returns, or any amendments thereto, against reports of sales of alcoholic liquor submitted to the Department by other manufacturers and distributors. If a return or amended return is corrected by the Department because the return or amended return failed to disclose the purchase of alcoholic liquor from manufacturers or distributors on which the tax provided for in this Article should have been paid, but has not been paid, the Department shall issue the taxpayer a notice of tax liability for the amount of tax claimed by the Department to be due, together with penalties at the rates prescribed by Sections 3-3, 3-5, and 3-6 of the Uniform Penalty and Interest Act. In a case where no return has been filed, the Department shall determine the amount of tax due according to its best judgment and information and shall issue the taxpayer a notice of tax liability for the amount of tax claimed by the Department to be due as herein provided together with penalties at the rates prescribed by Sections 3-3, 3-5 and 3-6 of the Uniform Penalty and Interest Act. If, in administering the provisions of this Act, a comparison of a licensee's return or returns with the books, records and physical inventories of such licensee discloses a deficiency which cannot be allocated by the Department to a particular month or months, the Department shall issue the taxpayer a notice of tax liability for the amount of tax claimed by the Department to be due for a given period, but without any obligation upon the Department to allocate such deficiency to any particular month or months, together with penalties at the rates prescribed by Sections 3-3, 3-5 and 3-6 of the Uniform Penalty and Interest Act, which amount of tax shall be equivalent to the amount of tax which, at the prescribed rate per gallon, should have been paid with respect to the alcoholic liquors disposed of in excess of those reported being taxable, with the tax thereon having been paid under which circumstances the aforesaid notice of tax liability shall be prima facie correct and shall be prima facie evidence of the correctness of the amount of tax due as shown therein; and proof of such correctness may be made in accordance with, and the admissibility of a reproduced copy of such notice of the Department's notice of tax liability shall be governed by, all the provisions of this Act applicable to corrected returns.
    If the licensee dies or becomes a person under legal disability at any time before the Department issues its notice of tax liability, such notice shall be issued to the administrator, executor or other legal representative, as such, of the deceased or licensee who is under legal disability.
    If such licensee or legal representative, within 60 days after such notice of tax liability, files a protest to such notice of tax liability and requests a hearing thereon, the Department shall give at least 7 days' notice to such licensee or legal representative, as the case may be, of the time and place fixed for such hearing and shall hold a hearing in conformity with the provisions of this Act, and pursuant thereto shall issue a final assessment to such licensee or legal representative for the amount found to be due as a result of such hearing.
    If a protest to the notice of tax liability and a request for a hearing thereon is not filed within 60 days after such notice of tax liability, such notice of tax liability shall become final without the necessity of a final assessment being issued and shall be deemed to be a final assessment.
    Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Act, any amount paid as tax or in respect of tax paid under this Act shall be deemed assessed upon the date of receipt of payment.
    In case of failure to pay the tax, or any portion thereof, or any penalty provided for herein, when due, the Department may recover the amount of such tax, or portion thereof, or penalty in a civil action; or if the licensee dies or becomes a person under legal disability, by filing a claim therefor against his or her estate; provided that no such claim shall be filed against the estate of any deceased or of the licensee who is under legal disability for any tax or penalty or portion thereof except in the manner prescribed and within the time limited by the Probate Act of 1975, as amended.
    The collection of any such tax and penalty, or either, by any means provided for herein, shall not be a bar to any prosecution under this Act.
    In addition to any other penalty provided for in this Article, all provisions of the Uniform Penalty and Interest Act that are not inconsistent with this Act apply.
(Source: P.A. 103-9, eff. 1-1-24.)

235 ILCS 5/8-6

    (235 ILCS 5/8-6) (from Ch. 43, par. 163b)
    Sec. 8-6. The Department, or any officer or employee designated in writing by the Director thereof, for the purpose of administering and enforcing the provisions of this Act, may hold investigations and hearings concerning any matters covered by this Act. In holding or conducting any hearing or investigation authorized under this Act, the Department or any officer or employee of the Department designated, in writing, by the Director thereof, may examine any books, papers, records or memoranda bearing upon the manufacture, importation, sale or use of alcoholic liquors by any licensee, and may require the attendance of such licensee or of any officer, agent or employee of such licensee, or of any person having knowledge of such facts, and may take testimony and require proof for its information. In the conduct of any investigation or hearing, neither the Department nor any officer or employee thereof shall be bound by the technical rules of evidence, and no informality in any proceeding, or in the manner of taking testimony, shall invalidate any assessment, order, decision, rule or regulation made or approved or confirmed by the Department. The Director of Revenue or any duly designated officer or employee of the Department shall have power to administer oaths to such persons; and the Department shall have the power to issue subpoenas and subpoenas duces tecum, and the Department, or any other party to a proceeding pending before the Department, may apply to the circuit court to compel the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of books, papers, records and memoranda, by an attachment for contempt as provided for such purposes in civil cases.
    The Department or any officer or employee thereof, or any party in an investigation or hearing before the Department, may cause the depositions of witnesses within the State to be taken in the manner prescribed by law for like depositions in civil actions in courts of this State, and to that end compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of books, papers, records and memoranda.
    The books, papers, records and memoranda of the Department, or parts thereof, may be proved in any hearing, investigation or judicial proceeding by a reproduced copy thereof under the certificate of the Director of Revenue. Such reproduced copy shall, without further proof, be admitted into evidence before the Department or in any judicial proceeding.
(Source: P.A. 83-334.)

235 ILCS 5/8-7

    (235 ILCS 5/8-7) (from Ch. 43, par. 163c)
    Sec. 8-7. All hearings provided for in Section 8-5 of this Act shall be held in the county wherein the licensee has his principal place of business; provided, that if the licensee does not have his or her principal place of business in this State, such hearing shall be held in Sangamon County.
    The Circuit Court of the county wherein any hearing is held by the Department shall have power to review all final administrative decisions of the Department in administering the provisions of this Act. If the administrative proceeding which is to be reviewed judicially is a claim for refund proceeding commenced in accordance with Section 8-3 of this Act and Section 2a of "An Act in relation to the payment and disposition of moneys received by officers and employees of the State of Illinois by virtue of their office or employment", approved June 9, 1911, as amended, the Circuit Court having jurisdiction of the proceeding for judicial review under this Section and under the Administrative Review Law, as amended, shall be the same court that entered the injunction which is provided for in Section 2a of "An Act in relation to the payment and disposition of moneys received by officers and employees of the State of Illinois by virtue of their office or employment", and which enables such claim proceeding to be processed and disposed of as a claim for refund proceeding rather than as a claim for credit proceeding.
    The provisions of the Administrative Review Law, and all amendments and modifications thereof, and the rules adopted pursuant thereto, shall apply to and govern all proceedings for the judicial review of final administrative decisions of the Department hereunder. The term "administrative decision" is defined as in Section 3-101 of the Code of Civil Procedure.
    Service of summons issued in such review proceeding upon the Director of Revenue or the Assistant Director of Revenue of the Department of Revenue shall be service upon the Department. The Department shall certify the record of its proceedings if the licensee shall pay to it the sum of 75¢ per page of testimony taken before the Department and 25¢ per page of all other matters contained in such record, except that these charges may be waived where the Department is satisfied that the aggrieved party is a poor person who cannot afford to pay such charges. Provided, however, before the delivery of such record to the person applying for same, the payment therefor shall be made as hereinabove provided, and in the event of nonpayment for the record as hereinabove provided within 30 days after notice that such record is available, the complaint may be dismissed by the court upon motion of the Department.
    No stay order shall be entered by the Circuit Court unless the plaintiff in the review proceedings shall file with the court a bond in an amount fixed and approved by the court to indemnify the State against all loss and injury which may be sustained by it on account of the review proceedings and to secure all costs which may be occasioned by such proceedings.
    Whenever notice is required by this Act, such notice may be given by United States registered or certified mail with return receipt requested, addressed to the person concerned at his or her last known address, and proof of such mailing shall be sufficient for the purposes of this Act.
    Whenever any proceeding provided by this Act is commenced before the Department, either by the Department or by a person subject to this Act, and such person thereafter dies or becomes a person under legal disability before such proceeding is concluded, the legal representative of the deceased or the guardian of the person under legal disability shall notify the Department of such death or legal disability. The legal representative, as such, shall then be substituted by the Department for such person. If the legal representative fails to notify the Department of his or her appointment as such legal representative, the Department may, upon its own motion, substitute such legal representative in the proceeding pending before the Department for the person who died or became a person under legal disability.
(Source: P.A. 83-345.)

235 ILCS 5/8-8

    (235 ILCS 5/8-8) (from Ch. 43, par. 163d)
    Sec. 8-8. No person shall be excused from testifying or from producing any books, papers, records or memoranda in any investigation or upon any hearing, when ordered to do so by the Department or any officer or employee thereof, upon the ground that the testimony or evidence, documentary or otherwise, may tend to incriminate him or subject him to a criminal penalty, but no person shall be prosecuted or subjected to any criminal penalty for, or on account of, any transaction made or thing concerning which he may testify or produce evidence, documentary or otherwise, before the Department or an officer or employee thereof; provided, that such immunity shall extend only to a natural person who, in obedience to a subpoena, gives testimony under oath or produces evidence, documentary or otherwise, under oath. No person so testifying shall be exempt from prosecution and punishment for perjury committed in so testifying.
(Source: P.A. 82-783.)

235 ILCS 5/8-9

    (235 ILCS 5/8-9) (from Ch. 43, par. 163e)
    Sec. 8-9. Tax information; confidentiality. All information received by the Department from returns filed under this Act, or from any investigation conducted under this Act, shall be confidential, except for official purposes, and any person who divulges any such information in any manner, except in accordance with a proper judicial order or as otherwise provided by law, shall be guilty of a Class B misdemeanor.
    Nothing in this Act prevents the Director of Revenue from publishing or making available to the public the names and addresses of persons filing returns under this Act, or reasonable statistics concerning the operation of the tax by grouping the contents of returns so that the information in any individual return is not disclosed.
    Nothing in this Act prevents the Director of Revenue from divulging to the United States Government or the government of any other state, or any officer or agency thereof, for exclusively official purposes, information received by the Department in administering this Act, provided that such other governmental agency agrees to divulge requested tax information to the Department.
    The furnishing upon request of information obtained by the Department from returns filed under this Act or investigations conducted under this Act to the Illinois Liquor Control Commission for official use is deemed to be an official purpose within the meaning of this Section.
    The furnishing upon request of the Auditor General, or his authorized agents, for official use, of returns filed and information related thereto under this Act is deemed to be an official purpose within the meaning of this Section.
    The furnishing of financial information to a home rule unit with a population in excess of 2,000,000 that has imposed a tax similar to that imposed by this Act under its home rule powers, upon request of the Chief Executive of the home rule unit, is an official purpose within the meaning of this Section, provided the home rule unit agrees in writing to the requirements of this Section. Information so provided is subject to all confidentiality provisions of this Section. The written agreement shall provide for reciprocity, limitations on access, disclosure, and procedures for requesting information.
    Nothing contained in this Act shall prevent the Director from divulging information to any person pursuant to a request or authorization made by the taxpayer or by an authorized representative of the taxpayer.
(Source: P.A. 94-1074, eff. 12-26-06.)

235 ILCS 5/8-10

    (235 ILCS 5/8-10) (from Ch. 43, par. 164)
    Sec. 8-10. It is the duty of each manufacturer, importing distributor and foreign importer to keep, at his licensed address or place of business, complete and accurate records of all sales or other dispositions of alcoholic liquor, and complete and accurate records of all alcoholic liquor produced, manufactured, compounded or imported, whether for himself or for another, together with a physical inventory made as of the close of each period for which a return is required, covering all alcoholic liquors on hand. However, the Department of Revenue may grant an importing distributor a waiver to permit such records to be kept at a central business location within the State upon written request by the importing distributor. The central business location shall be located at a licensed importing distributor's premises. The Department of Revenue may in its discretion prescribe reasonable and uniform methods for keeping such records by manufacturers and importing distributors and foreign importers.
    In case of failure by manufacturers and importing distributors to keep such records or to make them available to the Department on demand, the Department shall determine the amount of tax due according to its best judgment and information, which amount so determined by the Department shall be prima facie correct, and the Department's notice of tax liability shall be given, and protest thereto and demand for a hearing may be made and final assessments arrived at, in accordance with the provisions of Section 8-5 hereof.
    It is the duty of each manufacturer, importing distributor and foreign importer, who imports alcoholic liquor into the State, and each non-resident dealer who ships alcoholic liquor into the State, to mail to the Department one duplicate invoice, together with a bill of lading, covering such shipment and stating the quantity and, except in the case of alcoholic liquor imported in bulk to be bottled by an authorized licensee in this State using his own label and brand, the invoice shall also state the brand, labels and size of containers.
    It is the duty of each manufacturer, importing distributor and foreign importer, who imports spirits into the State, and each non-resident dealer who ships spirits into the State, to mail to the State Commission monthly a report containing a compilation of the information required to be furnished to the Department by the preceding paragraph, except that information concerning spirits imported in bulk need not be included. The report shall include all information mailed to the Department during the preceding month.
    All books and records, which manufacturers, importing distributors, non-resident dealers and foreign importers are required by this Section to keep, shall be preserved for a period of 3 years, unless the Department, in writing, authorizes their destruction or disposal at an earlier date.
(Source: P.A. 98-394, eff. 8-16-13.)

235 ILCS 5/8-10.5

    (235 ILCS 5/8-10.5)
    Sec. 8-10.5. Beer production quantity reporting.
    (a) As used in this Section:
    "Directly" means that a licensed distributor was not used in the transaction.
    "Final packaging container" means the last vessel in which beer is held before (i) consumption by an individual on the brewer's licensed premises; (ii) being placed in a keg, bottle, or can for consumption by an individual; or (iii) being removed for additional fermentation and aging in a cask or barrel.
    (b) A brewer who is a class 1 brewer, class 2 brewer, class 3 brewer, or brew pub licensee shall accurately measure the quantity of beer transferred into its final packaging container to determine the brewer's tax liability by converting beer production into the amount of beer sold and to ensure compliance with any production or self-distribution quantity limitations under this Act applicable to the class 1 brewer, class 2 brewer, class 3 brewer, or brew pub. The measurement shall comply with 27 CFR 25.41 and 27 CFR 25.42. Any brewer subject to this Section shall file, on the same date as the brewer files similar reports with the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Tobacco and Alcohol Tax and Trade Bureau, with the Department and State Commission a report of their use of water along with their "Brewer's Report of Operations" filed with the U.S. Department of Treasury's Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau and shall maintain and produce for examination and inspection by the Department and the State Commission utility bills for water for 3 years along with their "Brewer's Report of Operations" filed with the U.S. Department of Treasury's Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau. The Department, in cooperation with the State Commission, may audit on an annual basis the amount a class 1 brewer, class 2 brewer, class 3 brewer, or brew pub licensee produces to determine compliance with this Act.
    (c) A brewer's failure to comply with this Section shall result in the State Commission issuing a fine or suspending or revoking the brewer's license.
(Source: P.A. 102-442, eff. 8-20-21.)

235 ILCS 5/8-11

    (235 ILCS 5/8-11) (from Ch. 43, par. 164 1/2)
    Sec. 8-11. Every person licensed as a non-beverage user hereunder shall keep books and records which shall be available to investigators and/or auditors of the Department during regular business hours, and shall retain such books and records at his place of business in Illinois for a period of not less than three years. Such books and records shall be so kept as correctly to disclose: (a) the quantity and kind of alcoholic liquors received, showing the name and address of the party from whom received and the permit number on which purchased; (b) the quantity and kind of alcoholic liquors used; (c) the quantity and kind of alcoholic liquors on hand at the close of each business day; and (d) the names of products or purposes for which alcoholic liquors are used.
    No non-beverage user shall sell, give away or otherwise dispose of any alcoholic liquor purchased under his license as such non-beverage user, in any form fit for beverage purposes. Any non-beverage user who shall violate the provisions of this section shall pay as a penalty to the Department of Revenue, the sum of $1.50 for each gallon of alcoholic liquor so diverted, and in addition thereto shall be subject to the penalties provided in Section 10-1 of this Act.
(Source: P.A. 83-1428.)

235 ILCS 5/8-12

    (235 ILCS 5/8-12) (from Ch. 43, par. 164 3/4)
    Sec. 8-12. It shall be the duty of every railroad company, express company, common or contract carrier, and of every person, firm or corporation that shall bring, carry or transport alcoholic liquors into the State of Illinois for delivery in said State or which are delivered in said State, to prepare and file with the Department of Revenue for each month, not later than the fifteenth day of the month following that for which it is made, a report stating therein the name of the company, carrier, person, firm or corporation making the report, the period of time covered by said report, the name and business address of each consignor of such alcoholic liquors, the name and business address of each consignee of such alcoholic liquors, the kind and quantity of alcoholic liquors delivered to each consignee, and the date or dates of delivery. Such report shall be made upon forms prescribed and made available by the Department and shall contain such other information as may reasonably be required by the Department. The Department may establish procedures for electronic transmissions of such information directly to the Department. Such reports or information received by the Department shall be made available by the Department to the Commission upon the Commission's request.
    In addition to any other reporting requirement imposed under this Section, reports shall be filed for shipments to end consumers in this State. In furtherance of this requirement, it shall be the duty of every railroad company, express company, common or contract carrier, person, firm, or corporation that brings, carries, or transports alcoholic liquor into Illinois for delivery in Illinois to prepare and file with the Department for each month, not later than the fifteenth day of the month following the month during which the delivery is made, a report containing the name of the company, carrier, person, firm, or corporation making the report, the period of time covered by the report, the name and business address of each consignor of the alcoholic liquor, the name and the address of each consignee, and the date of delivery. Such reports shall be made upon forms prescribed and made by the Department and shall contain any other information that the Department may reasonably require. Such reports or information received by the Department shall be made available by the Department to the State Commission upon the State Commission's request.
    Every railroad company, express company, common or contract carrier, person, firm, or corporation filing or required to file a report under this Section shall deliver and make available to the Department, upon the Department's request, the records supporting the report, within 30 days of the request. The books, records, supporting papers and documents containing information and data relating to such reports shall be kept and preserved for a period of three years, unless their destruction sooner is authorized, in writing, by the Director, and shall be open and available to inspection by the Director of Revenue or the Commission or any duly authorized officer, agent or employee of the Department or the Commission, at all times during business hours of the day.
    Any person who violates any of the provisions of this section or any of the rules and regulations of the Department for the administration and enforcement of the provisions of this section is guilty of a Class C misdemeanor. In case of a continuing violation each day's continuance thereof shall be a separate and distinct offense.
(Source: P.A. 92-380, eff. 1-1-02.)