SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — You may go to a gas station or retail store to buy Mike's Hard Lemonade or Smirnoff Ice, but state lawmakers hope to prevent young people from purchasing fruit flavored malt drinks containing 4-6% alcohol.
Their proposal would require retailers to separate soda and juice from liquor that looks like soda. The legislation could prohibit retailers from displaying alcopop drinks next to soft drinks, bottled water, or snacks catered to young customers.
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"If it's an area that is designated where individuals who are not 21 shouldn't be, then you don't have to worry about those items being co-branded or alcohol-infused products being adjacent to those others because it's in the area that's supposed to be for 21 anyway," said Rep. Curtis Tarver (D-Chicago).
Rep. Curtis Tarver II said many minors are getting access to alcopop in grocery stores and gas stations across the state.
The Illinois Liquor Control Commission would also provide signs to retailers stating these drinks are alcoholic beverages only available to people 21 and older.
Senate Bill 2625 passed unanimously out of the House Executive Committee Wednesday morning. The plan now moves to the House floor for further consideration. This measure gained unanimous support in the Senate on April 12.
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