St. Charles Committee Approves B1 Liquor License for Chums Shrimp Shack Amid Debate

Omer Farooq
Sep 9
2 min read

Meeting Overview

On April 15, 2024, the St. Charles Government Operations Committee convened to approve routine items, deliberate a B1 liquor license for Chums Shrimp Shack, and enter Executive Session for collective bargaining discussions.

Key Decisions

Omnibus vote: Approved quickly at the start of the meeting.
B1 Liquor License for Chums Shrimp Shack: Approved 7-3 with provisions:
- A manager must be present during all liquor sales.
- An ID scanning machine must be used for age verification.
Executive Session: Committee voted to transition to closed session for collective bargaining matters.

Liquor License Discussion

Chief Keegan presented the B1 license application, noting that Chums Shrimp Shack, located at 2115 West Main Street, is a small, primarily carry-out and catering restaurant with under 20 seats.

Key points discussed:

The owner, Mr. Rodriguez, operates three other restaurants in Algonquin, Crystal Lake, and Woodstock.
Concerns: Three underage liquor sale violations over two years at other locations, and incomplete disclosure of these violations on the application.
Chief Keegan’s Recommendation: Approve with provisions to ensure compliance and mitigate risk.

Committee members were divided:

Opposition (3 members): Cited prior violations and incomplete disclosure as reasons to deny the license, emphasizing potential oversight burdens on city police.
Support (7 members): Focused on the restaurant’s low-volume alcohol sales, Chief Keegan’s monitoring plan, and the minor nature of past violations.

After debate, the license was approved with the recommended safeguards.

Other Notes

Public comment period: No speakers.
The meeting concluded with a vote to enter Executive Session for collective bargaining discussions.

Conclusion

The committee’s approval reflects a balance between risk management and business support, ensuring that Chums Shrimp Shack can operate with safeguards in place, while city oversight continues for compliance.