HB1793ham001 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Rep. André M. Thapedi

Filed: 3/18/2009

09600HB1793ham001 LRB096 05458 ASK 23930 a

AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL 1793

AMENDMENT NO. ______. Amend House Bill 1793 by replacing everything after the enacting clause with the following:

"Section 5. The Liquor Control Act of 1934 is amended by changing Section 6-24a and by adding Section 6-24B as follows:

(235 ILCS 5/6-24B new)

Sec. 6-24B. Display of adolescent warning signs.

(a) The General Assembly finds that there is a need for public information about the risk of excessive alcoholic liquor consumption, specifically with regard to persons under the age of 21. The United States Surgeon General has found that all levels of government have a responsibility to develop and implement appropriate policies that facilitate safe adolescent development, protect against underage alcohol use and its consequences, and avoid creating unacceptable risks around alcohol use. Since excessive alcoholic liquor consumption and underage alcohol consumption are preventable, the General Assembly finds that it is in the public interest to provide warnings about the risks of underage alcohol consumption at places where alcoholic liquor is sold.

(b) Every holder of a retail license, whether the licensee sells or offers for sale alcoholic liquors for use or consumption on or off the retail license premises, shall cause a sign with the message "GOVERNMENT WARNING: ACCORDING TO THE SURGEON GENERAL, ADOLESCENTS SHOULD NOT DRINK ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES BECAUSE OF THE RISK OF DEATH, HIV, UNPLANNED PREGNANCY, PHYSICAL AND SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND BRAIN DAMAGE. IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE, PLEASE CALL THE OFFICE OF ALCOHOLISM AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE (OASA) AT 1-800-843-6154" to be framed and hung in plain view. These signs shall be no larger than 8 1/2 inches by 11 inches.

(c) In the event that there is no warning sign posted on the retailer's premises, it shall be the responsibility of the Illinois Liquor Control Commission to furnish the retailer with a warning sign. The retailer shall have 30 days from receipt of the warning sign to post it on the licensed premises. Thereafter, a retailer who violates this Section is subject to a written warning for the first violation. For a second or subsequent violation, the retailer shall pay a fine of at least $40 but not more than $200 for each such violation. For the third and subsequent violations, each day the activity continues shall be a separate violation.".