SPRINGFIELD, IL — The Illinois Restaurant Association is applauding Governor JB Pritzker for signing into law a bill which permanently allows cocktails and mixed drinks to be sold by restaurants for delivery and curbside pickup in Illinois. The association thanks the General Assembly and Senate Bill 618’s sponsors, Sen. Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) and Rep. Bob Rita (D-Blue Island), in addition to Sen. Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago), for their leadership in supporting the state’s restaurant and hospitality industry.
Cocktails-to-go kept many establishments afloat during the pandemic, and the option continues to play a critical role in helping restaurants stay competitive and meet the needs of their customers amid increasingly challenging times. This legislation provides a lifeline as businesses continue to face rising costs, tariffs, and labor shortages.
“We thank Gov. Pritzker and applaud the General Assembly for passing Senate Bill 618, which guarantees that alcohol delivery and cocktails-to-go can continue through 2028 and beyond, preserving a vital source of revenue for restaurants across the state,” said Sam Toia, CEO and President of the Illinois Restaurant Association.
Senate Bill 618 includes strong safeguards, such as strict container requirements and age verification, to ensure responsible service and compliance. The legislation also allows craft brewer license holders to offer rewards and loyalty programs like mug clubs for customers.
“Illinois becomes the 30th state plus Washington, D.C., to make cocktails-to-go permanent. This commonsense policy is a win for restaurants, employees, and customers across Illinois. The modern restaurant consumer is looking to order their meals to-go more often, and allowing operators to include alcohol beverages as part of those orders provides them with new ways to set themselves apart and to meet customer interest,” said Mike Whatley, Vice President of State Affairs and Grassroots Advocacy, National Restaurant Association.
After receiving unanimous approval in the Senate (51–0) and a strong bipartisan vote in the House (104–6) during veto session, the measure was signed by Gov. Pritzker on Dec. 12.
About the Illinois Restaurant Association
Founded in 1914, the Illinois Restaurant Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting,protecting, educating, and improving the restaurant industry in Illinois. The IRA owns and produces Chicago Gourmet – the annual food and wine festival uniting hundreds of restaurants, chefs, and beverage experts for a weekend filled with food and drink tastings, entertainment, and more. The Association is also a proud co-host of the James Beard Foundation Awards, which will be held in Chicago through 2027. For more information, visit www.illinoisrestaurants.org and follow on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.