Law Lookup

Use our law lookup to find quick answers to frequently asked legal questions or click below for a link to the full Illinois Liquor Control Commission text. 

 
 

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are a few frequently asked questions that we receive about the laws and regulations that affect beer wholesalers in Illinois. 

 
 
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Recently an agent found an item (i.e., a BBQ grill) in the basement of a retail premises.
Recently the ILCC has brought in local inspectors/police/etc. for checking minor violations. Are there any guidelines for those doing the checking?
Since a distributor can’t pick up breakage once delivered, what do they do if bulk merchandisers break a case while building a display?
Is it permissible for a distributor to put a miscellaneous credit on an invoice? The credit is not assigned to a specific product.
A grocery store has an alcoholic bar upstairs and holds an on-premise license. May a customer buy a beer at the bar and proceed to walk around with it while shopping in the main store area?
What is the current permanent POS dollar value allowed to each retailer in a given calendar year? 
Is it permissible for distributor’s employee to be employed by a retailer?
Is it permissible for a distributor to deliver a few cases of alcoholic product on a non-delivery day, for the purpose of merchandising offered to all accounts?
Is it permissible to provide a retailer with brand identified tables, chairs etc. if they are within the permanent POS dollar amount in that year?
Is there a law that states that price promotions or discounts offered need to be announced in writing to retailers? 
For a convention/trade show, is it possible for a distributor to purchase their own beer and send in for exhibition and demonstration purposes solely i.e. 2oz pour. 
Do electronic coupons (ex/ penny offer) need to be the same amount as general market coupons?
Can a distributor give a dump bin ice cooler to an off-premise retailer so singles can be sold at the register? 
Can the ILCC clarify what constitutes indoor and outside signage?
Is it permissible for retailers to buy X cases of beer at a discounted price, and in return, the retailer receives X amount discount/credit on hard liquor and other discounts?
In the rules, it states equipment can be used for a retailer’s picnic.  Is that only a draft trailer or can cold plates be used as well, instead of a draft trailer?
Can a distributor fix draught problems at a retail account?  If the “fix” requires parts, who is responsible for payment of the parts?  Must there be a charge for the labor to fix problems?
Can a retailer be fined multiple times for the same infraction?
Without clarification, Commission legal staff said the ‘pick the pros’ was illegal last year...
How long must retailers keep receipts for items purchased from distributors and third parties? Is the retailer/distributor assumed to be guilty until they can show proof?
Can a distributor give away free beer to a 4A or 4B licensee that has dram shop insurance?  Does the distributor need to have Dram Shop insurance if the retailer carries it?
Can distributors offer a case discount based off of the percentage of draft lines? (For example: 70% of the draft lines and receive a $1/case discount.)
Are distributors allowed to give consumers glassware without charging the retailer? i.e. “Keep the Pint.”
Can a Special Use Retailer return unused, untapped beer after an event?
Can a distributor offer “end of the month” discounts?
Can a brewer offer consumer specialty items free of charge?
Can distributors use social media to advertise retailer’s promotions and beer specials?
What do I do if a large chain retailer refuses to pay the distributorship’s fuel surcharge? What are the guidelines for fuel surcharges?
My competitors’ supplier has an advertisement in the local newspaper which offers instant savings if the consumer buys 3 twelve packs of the brewer’s beer. Is this legal?
Can a Distributor Offer Free Labor to Install Glycol Draught Systems? Doesn’t the Rules Allowed Us to Provide Free Labor on the Original Installation if the Retailer Pays for the Equipment?
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