Dozen cited for alcohol sales to minors

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Updated: March 28, 2012 1:15AM

A young person walks into a liquor store, grabs some alcohol and heads to the cashier where they are asked to show their identification.

Without flinching, the young person whips out identification, the clerk gives it a glance and finishes the sale. If the clerk had looked closely they would seen that the ID clearly showed the young person was under the age 21.

The Lake County Underage Task Force uses this technique in a countywide effort to promote positive practices by business that sell alcohol during the holiday season.

There were 218 liquor-compliance checks in 2011 where young adults entered stores and tried to purchase alcohol while showing identification that showed they were under 21. In the vast majority of sales, the business refused to sell alcohol to the minor.

However, a dozen were caught, with the most citations, three, found in Vernon Hills followed by Round Lake Beach, Highland Park and the unincorporated areas of Lake County with two citations in each area.

“Alcohol compliance checks is one strategy to create an environment where it is difficult for youth to obtain alcohol. We are fortunate to have such great partners not only in law enforcement, but in responsible business owners who do not sell alcohol to minors,” said Kim Zambole of the Lake County Health Department and co-chairman of the task force.

“Consistency from community to community and monitoring underage drinking issues will help us be successful in addressing this problem and saving lives,” said Mundelein Police Chief Raymond Rose.

“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 Rose, who also is co-chairman of the task force.

The task force does not make the offending business names public.