Glencoe will allow local restaurants to pay for next year’s liquor licenses in installments

A new liquor license payment installment program that is designed to support local businesses in Glencoe during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic will go into effect this year 

Glencoe’s Village Board approved an ordinance Thursday, Nov. 19, that creates a temporary program that allows liquor license renewal applicants in the village to pay their license fee in up to 12 installments. 

Existing liquor licenses issued by the village will expire on Dec. 31, 2020, according to village documents. Under current Village code, businesses are encouraged to submit renewal applications by Dec. 1 and licenses cannot be issued to businesses that do not pay the license fee, according to the village. 

Under the new program, businesses seeking renewals of their liquor licenses can spread out the fee over a series of payments if they so choose.

New businesses are not eligible for the program, according to village documents. Officials said this is a one-time program that is only for the calendar year 2021 renewal process. 

Glencoe has at least 10 different liquor license categories with varying renewal costs, ranging from $200 to $5,000, said Jordan Lester, management analysis for the Village of Glencoe. 

The village receives close to $20,000 in revenue annually from liquor licenses, officials said. 

Fewer than 10 local restaurants in Glencoe have existing liquor licenses, Lester said. 

Village officials hope the program will serve as a relief measure to support businesses during the difficulties presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.   

“My heart goes out to all of our business community members and I can’t imagine how hard and confusing it must be,” Lester said. “We’re trying to do what we can, even if it’s just an installment program, to help folks during this challenging time.” 

The village plans to release specifics of the program to local businesses before the end of the week.