SPRINGFIELD – Congrats, Grad! The Illinois Liquor Control Commission (ILCC) applauds your remarkable achievements this commencement season. Graduating is a major milestone filled with pride, excitement, unforgettable memories, and new opportunities ahead. Of course, an accomplishment this special calls for a celebration!
As families and friends gather to honor the Class of 2026, we encourage parents, guardians, relatives, and loved ones to plan ahead for a memorable, safe, and alcohol-free graduation celebration for teens. The best celebrations are the ones everyone remembers for the right reasons.
Message to parents: Talk with your high school grads! Conversations about alcohol start at home.
- Make it clear to teens what is NOT allowed in the home or while away with friends.
- Create a welcoming space for your teens to ask questions about alcohol, its use, and effects.
- Stay involved in your teen’s plans and encourage safe ways to celebrate milestones.
- Lead by example and show your teens how easy and rewarding it is to celebrate life and have fun without the use of alcohol.
Message to graduates: Your awesome brain is still developing! Drinking alcohol affects judgment and decision-making and may lead to unwanted consequences, such as:
- Alcohol poisoning and blackouts
- Vehicular crashes due to drinking and driving
- Unsafe sexual behavior and sexual assault
- Injuries from falls and other accidents
The ILCC is cheering for your success, and we know that you want to make yourself and your family proud as you enter this exciting new stage of life. “We want you to celebrate your wins the safe way,” said ILCC, Executive Director, Lisa Gardner. “And the best way to do that is to make responsible choices that honor your values and the person you want to become. Congratulations, Class of 2026!”
Whether you’re heading to college, starting a career, joining the military, or exploring new opportunities, your future is full of possibilities, and protecting your health and safety matters. Celebrate your accomplishments with confidence, responsibility, and care for yourself and others. Make memories you’ll be proud of tomorrow. Again, we are proud of you, and congratulations, Class of 2026!
About the Illinois Liquor Control Commission
The Illinois Liquor Control Commission’s mission is to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the people of Illinois through careful control and regulation of the manufacture, distribution, and sale of alcoholic liquors and through the development of strategies to reduce youth access to alcohol products and the provision of training and education on responsible beverage service.
To learn more about the ILCC and its divisions, visit ilcc.illinois.gov. To submit a tip or complaint to the ILCC’s Enforcement Division, click here.