Full Text of SB2085

LRB104 05948 RPS 15981 b

104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
SB2085

Introduced 2/6/2025, by Sen. Erica Harriss

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

235 ILCS 5/1-3.05	from Ch. 43, par. 95.05
235 ILCS 5/1-3.45
235 ILCS 5/1-3.47 new
235 ILCS 5/6-16	from Ch. 43, par. 131
235 ILCS 5/6-35.5 new
410 ILCS 620/10	from Ch. 56 1/2, par. 510

Amends the Liquor Control Act of 1934. Provides that "alcoholic liquor" and "alcohol-infused products" does not include frozen desserts containing alcoholic liquor. Provides that "frozen desserts containing alcoholic liquor" means ice cream or other frozen desserts that are made with liquor, wine, beer, cider, or any combination thereof and that contain more than 0.5% but not more than 5% of alcohol by volume. Provides that no person shall sell a package of frozen desserts that contains more than 5% alcohol by volume. Provides that no person shall sell, give, or deliver frozen desserts containing alcoholic liquor to a person under the age of 21. Provides that a person under the age of 21 may not purchase, possess, or consume frozen desserts containing alcoholic liquor. Provides that no person shall sell a package of frozen desserts containing alcoholic liquor for consumption off the premises or for consumption on the premises unless it contains specified notices and warnings. Provides that no manufacturer or distributor of frozen desserts containing alcoholic liquor shall sell the product to a person intending to sell at retail individual servings of frozen desserts containing alcoholic liquor or packages of frozen desserts containing alcoholic liquor for consumption off the premises, unless, with each shipment, the manufacturer or distributor provides a written notice that frozen desserts containing alcoholic liquor may be sold at retail only if the retailer complies with specified requirements and provides a written copy of those requirements. Provides that frozen desserts containing alcoholic liquor are subject to all applicable food safety laws, rules, standards, and requirements, including, but not limited to, the provisions of the Illinois Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. Makes conforming changes. Amends the Illinois Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act to make a conforming change.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning liquor.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Liquor Control Act of 1934 is amended by changing Sections 1-3.05, 1-3.45, and 6-16 and by adding Sections 1-3.47 and 6-35.5 as follows:

(235 ILCS 5/1-3.05) (from Ch. 43, par. 95.05)

Sec. 1-3.05. Alcoholic liquor. "Alcoholic liquor" includes alcohol, spirits, wine and beer, and every liquid or solid, patented or not, containing alcohol, spirits, wine or beer, and capable of being consumed as a beverage by a human being. "Alcoholic liquor" also includes alcohol-infused products. "Alcoholic liquor" does not include frozen desserts containing alcoholic liquor. The provisions of this Act shall not apply to alcohol used in the manufacture of denatured alcohol produced in accordance with Acts of Congress and regulations promulgated thereunder, nor to any liquid or solid containing one-half of one per cent, or less, of alcohol by volume. No tax provided for in Article VIII of this Act shall apply to wine intended for use and used by any church or religious organization for sacramental purposes, provided that such wine shall be purchased from a licensed manufacturer or importing distributor under this Act.

(Source: P.A. 103-904, eff. 1-1-25.)

(235 ILCS 5/1-3.45)

Sec. 1-3.45. Alcohol-infused products. "Alcohol-infused products" means any frozen or unfrozen, solid or semi-solid food in a form other than liquid, including, but not limited to, ice cream, ice pops, whipped cream, gelatin-based products, and other similar products, containing more than 0.5% alcohol by volume. "Alcohol-infused products" does not include frozen desserts containing alcoholic liquor.

(Source: P.A. 103-904, eff. 1-1-25.)

(235 ILCS 5/1-3.47 new)

Sec. 1-3.47. Frozen desserts containing alcoholic liquor. "Frozen desserts containing alcoholic liquor" means ice creams or other frozen desserts that are made with liquor, wine, beer, cider, or any combination thereof and that contain more than 0.5% but not more than 5% of alcohol by volume.

(235 ILCS 5/6-16) (from Ch. 43, par. 131)

Sec. 6-16. Prohibited sales and possession.

(a) (i) No licensee nor any officer, associate, member, representative, agent, or employee of such licensee shall sell, give, or deliver alcoholic liquor or frozen desserts containing alcoholic liquor to any person under the age of 21 years or to any intoxicated person, except as provided in Section 6-16.1. (ii) No express company, common carrier, or contract carrier nor any representative, agent, or employee on behalf of an express company, common carrier, or contract carrier that carries or transports alcoholic liquor for delivery within this State shall knowingly give or knowingly deliver to a residential address any shipping container clearly labeled as containing alcoholic liquor and labeled as requiring signature of an adult of at least 21 years of age to any person in this State under the age of 21 years. An express company, common carrier, or contract carrier that carries or transports such alcoholic liquor for delivery within this State shall obtain a signature at the time of delivery acknowledging receipt of the alcoholic liquor by an adult who is at least 21 years of age. At no time while delivering alcoholic beverages within this State may any representative, agent, or employee of an express company, common carrier, or contract carrier that carries or transports alcoholic liquor for delivery within this State deliver the alcoholic liquor to a residential address without the acknowledgment of the consignee and without first obtaining a signature at the time of the delivery by an adult who is at least 21 years of age. A signature of a person on file with the express company, common carrier, or contract carrier does not constitute acknowledgement of the consignee. Any express company, common carrier, or contract carrier that transports alcoholic liquor for delivery within this State that violates this item (ii) of this subsection (a) by delivering alcoholic liquor without the acknowledgement of the consignee and without first obtaining a signature at the time of the delivery by an adult who is at least 21 years of age is guilty of a business offense for which the express company, common carrier, or contract carrier that transports alcoholic liquor within this State shall be fined not more than $1,001 for a first offense, not more than $5,000 for a second offense, and not more than $10,000 for a third or subsequent offense. An express company, common carrier, or contract carrier shall be held vicariously liable for the actions of its representatives, agents, or employees. For purposes of this Act, in addition to other methods authorized by law, an express company, common carrier, or contract carrier shall be considered served with process when a representative, agent, or employee alleged to have violated this Act is personally served. Each shipment of alcoholic liquor delivered in violation of this item (ii) of this subsection (a) constitutes a separate offense. (iii) No person, after purchasing or otherwise obtaining alcoholic liquor or frozen desserts containing alcoholic liquor, shall sell, give, or deliver such alcoholic liquor or frozen desserts containing alcoholic liquor to another person under the age of 21 years, except in the performance of a religious ceremony or service. Except as otherwise provided in item (ii), any express company, common carrier, or contract carrier that transports alcoholic liquor within this State that violates the provisions of item (i), (ii), or (iii) of this paragraph of this subsection (a) is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor and the sentence shall include, but shall not be limited to, a fine of not less than $500. Any person who violates the provisions of item (iii) of this paragraph of this subsection (a) is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor and the sentence shall include, but shall not be limited to a fine of not less than $500 for a first offense and not less than $2,000 for a second or subsequent offense. Any person who knowingly violates the provisions of item (iii) of this paragraph of this subsection (a) is guilty of a Class 4 felony if a death occurs as the result of the violation.

If a licensee or officer, associate, member, representative, agent, or employee of the licensee, or a representative, agent, or employee of an express company, common carrier, or contract carrier that carries or transports alcoholic liquor for delivery within this State, is prosecuted under this paragraph of this subsection (a) for selling, giving, or delivering alcoholic liquor or frozen desserts containing alcoholic liquor to a person under the age of 21 years, the person under 21 years of age who attempted to buy or receive the alcoholic liquor or frozen desserts containing alcoholic liquor may be prosecuted pursuant to Section 6-20 of this Act, unless the person under 21 years of age was acting under the authority of a law enforcement agency, the Illinois Liquor Control Commission, or a local liquor control commissioner pursuant to a plan or action to investigate, patrol, or conduct any similar enforcement action.

For the purpose of preventing the violation of this Section, any licensee, or his agent or employee, or a representative, agent, or employee of an express company, common carrier, or contract carrier that carries or transports alcoholic liquor for delivery within this State, shall refuse to sell, deliver, or serve alcoholic beverages or frozen desserts containing alcoholic liquor to any person who is unable to produce adequate written evidence of identity and of the fact that he or she is over the age of 21 years, if requested by the licensee, agent, employee, or representative.

Adequate written evidence of age and identity of the person is a document issued by a federal, state, county, or municipal government, or subdivision or agency thereof, including, but not limited to, a motor vehicle operator's license, a registration certificate issued under the Federal Selective Service Act, or an identification card issued to a member of the Armed Forces. Proof that the defendant-licensee, or his employee or agent, or the representative, agent, or employee of the express company, common carrier, or contract carrier that carries or transports alcoholic liquor for delivery within this State demanded, was shown and reasonably relied upon such written evidence in any transaction forbidden by this Section is an affirmative defense in any criminal prosecution therefor or to any proceedings for the suspension or revocation of any license based thereon. It shall not, however, be an affirmative defense if the agent or employee accepted the written evidence knowing it to be false or fraudulent. If a false or fraudulent Illinois driver's license or Illinois identification card is presented by a person less than 21 years of age to a licensee or the licensee's agent or employee for the purpose of ordering, purchasing, attempting to purchase, or otherwise obtaining or attempting to obtain the serving of any alcoholic beverage or frozen dessert containing alcoholic liquor, the law enforcement officer or agency investigating the incident shall, upon the conviction of the person who presented the fraudulent license or identification, make a report of the matter to the Secretary of State on a form provided by the Secretary of State.

However, no agent or employee of the licensee or employee of an express company, common carrier, or contract carrier that carries or transports alcoholic liquor for delivery within this State shall be disciplined or discharged for selling or furnishing liquor or frozen desserts containing alcoholic liquor to a person under 21 years of age if the agent or employee demanded and was shown, before furnishing liquor or frozen desserts containing alcoholic liquor to a person under 21 years of age, adequate written evidence of age and identity of the person issued by a federal, state, county or municipal government, or subdivision or agency thereof, including, but not limited to, a motor vehicle operator's license, a registration certificate issued under the Federal Selective Service Act, or an identification card issued to a member of the Armed Forces. This paragraph, however, shall not apply if the agent or employee accepted the written evidence knowing it to be false or fraudulent.

Any person who sells, gives, or furnishes to any person under the age of 21 years any false or fraudulent written, printed, or photostatic evidence of the age and identity of such person or who sells, gives or furnishes to any person under the age of 21 years evidence of age and identification of any other person is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor and the person's sentence shall include, but shall not be limited to, a fine of not less than $500.

Any person under the age of 21 years who presents or offers to any licensee, his agent or employee, any written, printed or photostatic evidence of age and identity that is false, fraudulent, or not actually his or her own for the purpose of ordering, purchasing, attempting to purchase or otherwise procuring or attempting to procure, the serving of any alcoholic beverage or frozen dessert containing alcoholic liquor, who falsely states in writing that he or she is at least 21 years of age when receiving alcoholic liquor or a frozen dessert containing alcoholic liquor from a representative, agent, or employee of an express company, common carrier, or contract carrier, or who has in his or her possession any false or fraudulent written, printed, or photostatic evidence of age and identity, is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor and the person's sentence shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following: a fine of not less than $500 and at least 25 hours of community service. If possible, any community service shall be performed for an alcohol abuse prevention program.

Any person under the age of 21 years who has any alcoholic beverage or frozen dessert containing alcoholic liquor in his or her possession on any street or highway or in any public place or in any place open to the public is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. This Section does not apply to possession by a person under the age of 21 years making a delivery of an alcoholic beverage or frozen dessert containing alcoholic liquor in pursuance of the order of his or her parent or in pursuance of his or her employment.

(a-1) It is unlawful for any parent or guardian to knowingly permit his or her residence, any other private property under his or her control, or any vehicle, conveyance, or watercraft under his or her control to be used by an invitee of the parent's child or the guardian's ward, if the invitee is under the age of 21, in a manner that constitutes a violation of this Section. A parent or guardian is deemed to have knowingly permitted his or her residence, any other private property under his or her control, or any vehicle, conveyance, or watercraft under his or her control to be used in violation of this Section if he or she knowingly authorizes or permits consumption of alcoholic liquor or frozen desserts containing alcoholic liquor by underage invitees. Any person who violates this subsection (a-1) is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor and the person's sentence shall include, but shall not be limited to, a fine of not less than $500. Where a violation of this subsection (a-1) directly or indirectly results in great bodily harm or death to any person, the person violating this subsection shall be guilty of a Class 4 felony. Nothing in this subsection (a-1) shall be construed to prohibit the giving of alcoholic liquor to a person under the age of 21 years in the performance of a religious ceremony or service in observation of a religious holiday.

For the purposes of this subsection (a-1) where the residence or other property has an owner and a tenant or lessee, the trier of fact may infer that the residence or other property is occupied only by the tenant or lessee.

(b) Except as otherwise provided in this Section whoever violates this Section shall, in addition to other penalties provided for in this Act, be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.

(c) Any person shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor where he or she knowingly authorizes or permits a residence which he or she occupies to be used by an invitee under 21 years of age and:

(1) the person occupying the residence knows that any such person under the age of 21 is in possession of or is consuming any alcoholic beverage or frozen dessert containing alcoholic liquor; and

(2) the possession or consumption of the alcohol by the person under 21 is not otherwise permitted by this Act.

For the purposes of this subsection (c) where the residence has an owner and a tenant or lessee, the trier of fact may infer that the residence is occupied only by the tenant or lessee. The sentence of any person who violates this subsection (c) shall include, but shall not be limited to, a fine of not less than $500. Where a violation of this subsection (c) directly or indirectly results in great bodily harm or death to any person, the person violating this subsection (c) shall be guilty of a Class 4 felony. Nothing in this subsection (c) shall be construed to prohibit the giving of alcoholic liquor to a person under the age of 21 years in the performance of a religious ceremony or service in observation of a religious holiday.

A person shall not be in violation of this subsection (c) if (A) he or she requests assistance from the police department or other law enforcement agency to either (i) remove any person who refuses to abide by the person's performance of the duties imposed by this subsection (c) or (ii) terminate the activity because the person has been unable to prevent a person under the age of 21 years from consuming alcohol despite having taken all reasonable steps to do so and (B) this assistance is requested before any other person makes a formal complaint to the police department or other law enforcement agency about the activity.

(d) Any person who rents a hotel or motel room from the proprietor or agent thereof for the purpose of or with the knowledge that such room shall be used for the consumption of alcoholic liquor or frozen desserts containing alcoholic liquor by persons under the age of 21 years shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.

(e) Except as otherwise provided in this Act, any person who has alcoholic liquor or a frozen dessert containing alcoholic liquor in his or her possession on public school district property on school days or at events on public school district property when children are present is guilty of a petty offense, unless the alcoholic liquor or frozen dessert containing alcoholic liquor (i) is in the original container with the seal unbroken and is in the possession of a person who is not otherwise legally prohibited from possessing the alcoholic liquor or frozen dessert containing alcoholic liquor or (ii) is in the possession of a person in or for the performance of a religious service or ceremony authorized by the school board.

(Source: P.A. 97-1049, eff. 1-1-13; 98-1017, eff. 1-1-15.)

(235 ILCS 5/6-35.5 new)

Sec. 6-35.5. Frozen desserts containing alcoholic liquor.

(a) No person shall sell a package of frozen desserts containing alcoholic liquor that contains more than 5% alcohol by volume. No person shall sell, give, or deliver frozen desserts containing alcoholic liquor to a person under the age of 21. A person under the age of 21 may not purchase, possess, or consume frozen desserts containing alcoholic liquor.

(b) No person shall sell a package of frozen desserts containing alcoholic liquor for consumption off the premises unless:

(1) each package is a sealed package, as received from the manufacturer or distributor;

(2) each sealed package, as received from the manufacturer or distributor, prominently bears the following statements, in a format to be established or approved by the State Commission:

"(A) The sale of this product to individuals under the age of 21 years is prohibited.

(B) This product is made with (insert whichever is applicable: liquor, wine, beer, cider, or a combination thereof) and contains alcohol up to 5% by volume.

(C) NOTICE: This product contains alcohol used as flavoring and, as with any product that contains alcohol:

(1) women should not consume alcohol during pregnancy because of the risk of birth defects; and

(2) consumption of alcohol impairs your ability to drive a car or operate machinery and may cause health problems."; and

(3) the following advisory, on a sign or poster not less than 7 inches by 5 inches, in a format to be established or approved by the State Commission, is displayed prominently at each location where frozen desserts containing alcoholic liquor are made available to the public:

"THIS AREA CONTAINS FROZEN DESSERTS CONTAINING ALCOHOLIC LIQUOR. The sale of frozen desserts containing alcoholic liquor to individuals under the age of 21 years is prohibited.

The frozen desserts containing alcoholic liquor in this area contain alcohol up to 5% by volume.

NOTICE: Frozen desserts containing alcoholic liquor contain alcohol used as a flavoring and, as with any product that contains alcohol:

(1) women should not consume alcohol during pregnancy because of the risk of birth defects; and

(2) consumption of alcohol impairs your ability to drive a car or operate machinery and may cause health problems. IT IS A VIOLATION PUNISHABLE UNDER LAW FOR ANY PERSON UNDER THE AGE OF 21 TO PRESENT ANY WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF AGE WHICH IS FALSE, FRAUDULENT, OR NOT ACTUALLY HIS OR HER OWN FOR THE PURPOSE OF ATTEMPTING TO PURCHASE FROZEN DESSERTS CONTAINING ALCOHOLIC LIQUOR.".

(c) No person shall sell at retail individual servings of frozen desserts containing alcoholic liquor for consumption on the premises, unless the following statements are prominently displayed on the printed menu (or, if no printed menus are used, on the menu board or sign setting forth the bill of fare) immediately adjacent to the listing of the item or items of frozen desserts containing alcoholic liquor:

"(1) The sale of this product to individuals under the age of 21 years is prohibited.

(2) This product is made with (insert whichever is applicable: liquor, wine, beer, cider, or a combination thereof) and contains alcohol up to 5% by volume.

(3) NOTICE: This product contains alcohol used as flavoring and, as with any product that contains alcohol:

(A) women should not consume alcohol during pregnancy because of the risk of birth defects; and

(B) consumption of alcohol impairs your ability to drive a car or operate machinery and may cause health problems.".

(d) No manufacturer or distributor of frozen desserts containing alcoholic liquor shall sell such product to a person intending to sell at retail individual servings of frozen desserts containing alcoholic liquor or packages of frozen desserts containing alcoholic liquor for consumption off the premises, unless, with each shipment, the manufacturer or distributor provides:

(1) a written notice that individual servings of frozen desserts containing alcoholic liquor or packages of frozen desserts containing alcoholic liquor may be sold at retail only if the retailer complies with all of the requirements set forth in subsection (b); and

(2) a written copy of the requirements set forth in subsection (b).

(d) Frozen desserts containing alcoholic liquor are subject to all applicable food safety laws, rules, standards, and requirements, including, but not limited to, the provisions of the Illinois Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.

Section 10. The Illinois Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act is amended by changing Section 10 as follows:

(410 ILCS 620/10) (from Ch. 56 1/2, par. 510)

Sec. 10. A food is adulterated - (a) (1) If it bears or contains any poisonous or deleterious substance which may render it injurious to health; but in case the substance is not an added substance such food shall not be considered adulterated under this clause if the quantity of such substance in such food does not ordinarily render it injurious to health; or (2) (A) if it bears or contains any added poisonous or added deleterious substance other than one which is (i) a pesticide chemical in or on a raw agricultural commodity; (ii) a food additive; or (iii) a color additive which is unsafe within the meaning of subsection (a) of Section 13; or (iv) a new animal drug which is unsafe within the meaning of Section 14; or (B) if it is a raw agricultural commodity and it bears or contains a pesticide chemical which is unsafe within the meaning of Section 408 (a) of the Federal Act as amended; or (C) if it is or it bears or contains, any food additive which is unsafe within the meaning of Section 409 of the Federal Act as amended; provided that where a pesticide chemical has been used in or on a raw agricultural commodity in conformity with an exemption granted or tolerance prescribed under Section 408 of the Federal Act and such raw agricultural commodity has been subjected to processing such as canning, cooking, freezing, dehydrating or milling, the residue of such pesticide chemical remaining in or on such processed food shall, notwithstanding the provisions of Section 13 and Clause (C) of this Section not be deemed unsafe if such residue in or on the raw agricultural commodity has been removed to the extent possible in good manufacturing practice, and the concentration of such residue in the processed food when ready-to-eat, is not greater than the tolerance prescribed for the raw agricultural commodity; or (D) if it is, or it bears or contains, a new animal drug (or conversion product thereof) which is unsafe within the meaning of Section 512 of the Federal Act; or (3) if it consists in whole or in part of a diseased, contaminated, filthy, putrid or decomposed substance, or if it is otherwise unfit for food; or (4) if it has been produced, prepared, packed or held under unsanitary conditions whereby it may have become contaminated with filth or whereby it may have been rendered diseased, unwholesome or injurious to health; or (5) if it is, in whole or in part, the product of a diseased animal or an animal which has died otherwise than by slaughter, or that has been fed upon the uncooked offal from a slaughterhouse; or (6) if its container is composed, in whole or in part, of any poisonous or deleterious substance which may render the contents injurious to health; or (7) if it has been intentionally subjected to radiation unless the use of the radiation was in conformity with a regulation or exemption in effect pursuant to Section 13 of this Act or Section 409 of the Federal Act.

(b) (1) If any valuable constituent has been in whole or in part omitted or abstracted therefrom; or (2) if any substance has been substituted wholly or in part therefor; or (3) if damage or inferiority has been concealed in any manner; or (4) if any substance has been added thereto or mixed or packed therewith so as to increase its bulk or weight or reduce its quality or strength or make it appear better or of greater value than it is.

(c) If it is confectionery, ice cream, or frozen dessert and it bears or contains any alcohol; however, this subsection shall not apply to any confectionery, ice cream, or frozen dessert by reason of its containing less than 5% by volume of alcohol.

(d) If it is or bears or contains any color additive which is unsafe within the meaning of Section 706(a) of the Federal Act.

(e) If its packaging or labeling is in violation of an applicable regulation issued pursuant to Section 3, 4 or 5 of the Illinois Poison Prevention Packaging Act.

(f) If it is an adulterated egg or egg product pursuant to Section 3.1 of the "Illinois Egg and Egg Products Act".

(Source: P.A. 85-179.)