No license shall be issued to:
(A) A person who is not a resident of the city;
(B) A person who is not of good character and reputation in the community in which he or she resides;
(C) A person who is not a citizen of the United States;
(D) A person who has been convicted of a felony under any federal or state law, unless the Liquor Commissioner determines that such person will not be impaired by the conviction in engaging in the licensed practice after considering matters set forth in such person’s application in accordance with ILCS Ch. 235, Act 5, § 6-2.5 of the Illinois Liquor Control Act and the Liquor Commissioner’s investigation;
(E) A person who has been convicted of keeping a place of prostitution or keeping a place of juvenile prostitution, promoting prostitution that involves keeping a place of prostitution, or promoting juvenile prostitution that involves keeping a place of juvenile prostitution;
(F) A person who has been convicted of pandering or other crime or misdemeanor opposed to decency and morality;
(G) A person whose license under this chapter has been revoked for cause;
(H) A person who at the time of application for renewal of any license issued hereunder would not be eligible for the license upon a first application;
(I) A co-partnership unless all of the members of the co-partnership shall be qualified to obtain a license;
(J) A corporation or limited liability company, if any officer, manager or director thereof, or any stockholder or stockholders owning in the aggregate more than 5% of the stock of the corporation, would not be eligible to receive a license hereunder for any reason other than citizenship and residence within the city;
(K) A person whose place of business is conducted by a manager or agent unless the manager or agent possesses the same qualifications required of the licensee;
(L) A person who has been convicted of a violation of any federal or state law concerning the manufacture, possession or sale of alcoholic liquor, or who shall have forfeited his or her bond to appear in court to answer charges for any violation, unless the Liquor Commissioner determines that such person will not be impaired by the conviction in engaging in the licensed practice after considering matters set forth in such person’s application in accordance with ILCS Ch. 235, Act 5, § 6-2.5 of the Illinois Liquor Control Act and the Liquor Commissioner’s investigation;
(M) A person who does not own the premises for which a license is sought or does not have a lease thereon for the full period for which the license is issued;
(N) Any law enforcing public official, any Mayor or Alderperson and no official shall be interested in any way, either directly or indirectly, in the manufacture, sale or distribution of alcoholic liquor, except that a license may be granted to such official in relation to premises that are not located within the territory subject to the jurisdiction of that official if the issuance of such license is approved by the State Liquor Control Commission, and except that a license may be granted to any Alderperson in relation to premises that are located within the territory subject to the jurisdiction of that official if: (i) the sale of alcoholic liquor pursuant to the license is incidental to the selling of food; (ii) the issuance of the license is approved by the State Commission; (iii) the issuance of the license is in accordance with all applicable local ordinances in effect where the premises are located; and (iv) the official granted a license does not vote on alcoholic liquor issues pending before the Board or Council to which the license holder is elected. Notwithstanding any provision of this division (N) to the contrary, an Alderperson may have a direct interest in the manufacture, sale, or distribution of alcoholic liquor as long as he or she is not a law enforcing public official or a Mayor. To prevent any conflict of interest, the elected official with the direct interest in the manufacture, sale, or distribution of alcoholic liquor shall not participate in any meetings, hearings, or decisions on matters impacting the manufacture, sale, or distribution of alcoholic liquor;
(O) Any person, firm or corporation not eligible for a state retail liquor dealer’s license;
(P) The Mayor, through the Office of Chief of Police, will ascertain the qualifications of prospective applicants. Any change in managers, corporation officers, directors or stockholders) owning over 5% of the stock would require a background investigation of the new manager, officers, directors or stockholder(s) before the issuance of any license. All changes will be reported to the Office of the Mayor of the city within five days of their occurrences; and
(Q) Any person who knowingly shares in any manner a beneficial interest with anyone convicted of a felony within the last ten years, including but not limited to the rental or lease payment by a licensee or proposed licensee to anyone convicted of a felony within the last ten years.
(1980 Code, § 18.004) (Ord. 9432, passed 11-29-2021)