Restaurant and business owners in Highland Park read an open letter to Mayor Nancy Rotering and the City Council Monday at City Hall, pictured above, asking the council to change the law that bars elected officials from being issued a liquor license.
City Manager Ghida Neukirch said the council and the Liquor Control Commission have not indicated that they will hold a hearing to consider revocation of the license for the Ravinia Brewing Company. Dozens of people signed the letter, along with restaurants such as Abigail’s American Bistro, Bluegrass, Cafe Dacha, Norton’s Restaurant and others.
“No recommendation would come out of this study,” said Jean Sogin, who spoke on behalf of the League’s leadership team at Monday’s meeting. “It’s our hope that a nonpartisan league study on this issue would give everyone a common set of facts.” As someone who wants to be more involved in public service with a long-term goal of running for office, Dhalawong said he often finds himself as a spokesperson or liaison between his communities and the Highland Park City Council.The restaurants’ letter said the liquor license law is inconsistent and inequitable, giving electoral representation rights to real estate developers and owners of marijuana dispensaries or tobacco establishments, but not business owners with liquor licenses.