Bloomington's Liquor Commission will stay the same, for now. Currently, the city has a three-person commission. The City Council was scheduled to vote Monday night on eliminating the city's liquor commission as it is and allow Mayor Tari Renner to appoint a Deputy Liquor Commissioner. The Deputy Liquor Commissioner would primarily sign documents and fulfill duties when the mayor is not available.
Renner said he wanted to clarify any questions the public had about the possible changes before taking a vote. Two of the officials on the current commission will be transitioning to other commissions, and Renner said he would rather appoint a Deputy Liquor Commissioner than fill two vacant positions.
"So, at this point I just pulled it," said Renner. "Let's move forward with one of the changes that I can make with my executive authority and then we'll come back perhaps in a couple months once we craft the role of a Deputy Liquor Commissioner."
Alderman Diana Hauman said she would prefer to see more than one person with Mayor Renner on the commission.
"I actually suggested to the Mayor that he expand it to include a student. That is where we have some of our challenges, with student drinking," said Hauman. "And we could include a former bar owner or operator, someone who has been in the business, that could give a different perspective."
Hauman said when questions come up, a student or former bar owner would have hands-on experience that they could provide to the Commissioner.
Also during the meeting, the City Council approved an ordinance incorporating the Smoke Free Illinois Act and adding electric cigarettes to the definition of smoking at city owned buildings. Hauman said she believes the state will eventually ban vaping and Bloomington just got a head start.
While the use of E-cigarettes will no longer be permitted at city owned buildings, vaping will remain legal at privately owned properties. A fine of $100 will be imposed to first-time violators of the provision, with a $250 fine added for each subsequent violation.
