Springfield City Council discuss new ordinance, eliminating alcohol sales after 1 a.m.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) - A proposal was passed at Tuesday night's Springfield City Council meeting which would stop liquor sales at 1 a.m. for bars, theaters, and stores.

As it moves closer toward becoming law, city leaders are optimistic that the change will provide more public safety in surrounding communities.

In a packed room of officials and local business owners, the discussion surrounding the move was highly contested.

"The people who come here from Decatur don't care about our community," said Chief Ken Scarlette of the Springfield Police Department. "They come here to do what they want and wreak havoc and go home."

Owners of restaurants and bars pushed back on the restrictions, saying it will prohibit them from making enough to sustain their businesses.

Barry Friedman, a local restaurant owner, said, "At least 50-percent of my business is on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday is between 1 [a.m.] and 3."

Another owner, Josh Wright, added, "It's my livelihood... but it's also the livelihood of several employees on my back as well now. So it's going to be a real loss for us if those employees lose those hours, tips, and sales of the business."

If passed, the new ordinance will go into effect beginning January 1st, 2025, impacting all establishments that sell alcohol.

In order to become official, it must be voted on at the next meeting.