15 Stores Turn Away Underage Liquor Customers

When Buffalo Grove police sent underage customers into 15 establishments this fall, employees at each one refused to sell alcohol to minors.

The program was part of an ongoing Lake County effort to promote positive practices in local businesses.

The latest checks were conducted Sept. 27 in Buffalo Grove, timed in conjunction with Homecoming season.

“Consistency from community to community and monitoring underage drinking issues will help us be successful in addressing this problem and saving lives. Our desire is to see 100 percent compliance, but it is refreshing to see the majority of businesses realize the seriousness of this issue and did not sell alcohol to the underage participants,” said Mundelein Police Chief Ray Rose, co-chairman of the Lake County Underage Drinking Prevention Task Force.

In addition to Buffalo Grove, checks were conducted in Deerfield, Grayslake, Highland Park, Lake Forest, Lake Zurich, Mundelein, Riverwoods, Winthrop Harbor and Zion.

The Buffalo Grove businesses that passed the test were Al & Al Liquors, Aldi, Binny’s Beverage Depot, BG Liquors, CVS/pharmacy, all three Dominick’s stores, Osco, Seoul Supermarket, VA Liquor, all three Walgreens locations and 7-Eleven.

Of the 118 total checks conducted in September and October in Lake County, police cited 10 stores with violations. Those stores were in Grayslake, Lake Zurich, Mundelein, Riverwoods and Winthrop Harbor.

Selling alcohol to a minor is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail, fine or probation.