Illinois alcohol laws are comprehensive and cover everything from sales hours to happy hour regulations. As of 2024, alcohol can be sold any day of the year, including holidays, with service hours running from 10 a.m. to 4 a.m. daily.
One significant update is the extension of the state’s cocktail to-go law, initially introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This law, which allows restaurants and bars to offer carryout and delivery of mixed drinks and single servings of wine, has been extended until August 1, 2028. Age verification remains mandatory, and drinks must be sealed and labeled with ingredients.
However, third-party services like Uber Eats and GrubHub cannot deliver these beverages.
For drivers, Illinois maintains strict open container laws. Only unopened alcohol in its original container is allowed in vehicles, with exceptions for passengers in limousines, charter buses, or mobile homes used for ordinary purposes.
Illinois reintroduced happy hour in 2015, allowing drink specials for up to four hours daily and 15 hours weekly, with certain restrictions. For more on Illinois alcohol laws, visit The State Journal-Register.
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These laws ensure that alcohol use and sales in Illinois remain well-regulated while offering flexibility for consumers and businesses alike.
