Proposed Legislation Targets Adults Who Let Minors Drink

State Rep. Carol Sente (D-59th) has introduced legislation to help reduce underage drinking parties hosted by parents of other children. Modeled after the Village of Mundelein’s new social hosting policies, the legislation aims to reverse the growing epidemic of underage drinking throughout her north suburban district.

“I know that one of the number one reasons people move to and stay in our community is because we have one of the safest places in the state to live and raise a family,” Sente said in a statement. “Keeping our children and community safe requires working together with local law enforcement, governments, schools and community groups to keep students engaged in school and responsible activities.”

House Bill 1554 will give local law enforcement greater authority to press charges against adults for knowingly allowing minors to consume alcoholic beverages in their home. Following the death of two Deerfield teenagers in 2007, state laws were expanded to make it a felony for providing alcohol to minors if they are injured while intoxicated. Sente worked with Mundelein Police Chief Ray Rose, who is also the co-founder of the Lake County After School Coalition, to tighten state policy to make it a Class A misdemeanor to knowingly provide alcohol to underage individuals, even if they are not injured.

“Young people do not need additional pressure to drink if they are underage, and we need to make sure that adults set a responsible example,” Rose said in the statement. “I am grateful to Representative Sente for working to curb the growing epidemic of underage drinking and provide safe and educational options for youth outside of the classroom.”