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player ready...Two Dolton liquor license holders who saw delays in getting their annual permits renewed have had success in state and federal courts, filings show.
Some liquor license holders complained to village officials last year about monthslong delays in getting approval for new licenses, while village officials told them the renewals were being reviewed.
The Calumet Conservation Club, which operates the Izaak Walton League in the village, was able to secure a new license after filing a lawsuit in Cook County Circuit Court.
Separately, Lacey’s Place, which operates a gambling cafe at 122 Sibley Blvd., has a lawsuit pending in federal court, although court filings show it has been able to remain open.
In the Izaak Walton matter, a court filing in early December notes a settlement by the club and village was reached and the club was dismissing its lawsuit.
The club, 14736 Beachview Terrace, sued last July after it said it had filed a renewal application for its liquor license April 17, but subsequent phone calls to the village seeking the status of the license were not returned.
The club, in the lawsuit, noted that for more than 50 years it had annually received a renewal.
An attorney for the club sent a letter to village officials in June inquiring about the license. The lawsuit stated there was no response to the correspondence.
The attorney did not respond to messages seeking comment.
Lacey’s Place, an Illinois-based chain of bars and gambling parlors, filed a lawsuit last July over a delay in getting its liquor license renewed.
The case, originally filed in Cook County Circuit Court but moved to federal court, alleges a violation of due process rights.
The village held up renewal as it conducted “an administrative analysis and review” of the liquor license application, according to the lawsuit.
In a Dec. 8 report, attorneys for Lacey’s said the business had recently been issued a liquor license by Dolton, but has an appeal pending with the Illinois Liquor Control Commission.
The business is allowed to operate pending the outcome of that appeal, according to court filings.
The report noted both sides are seeking agreement to dismiss the lawsuit.
Illinois’ expansion of gambling some years ago created what have been called “gaming parlors,” or establishments offering a limited menu of food items but requiring what is called a “pour license,” or licenses to serve both beer and wine for consumption on the premises.
Lacey’s Place and similar businesses need both a state license to sell alcohol along with a liquor license from the town they operate in.
The judge overseeing the Lacey’s Place lawsuit set Feb. 5 as the deadline for an updated status report regarding the state liquor board appeal and discussions aimed at settling the lawsuit.
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