Local store owner disagrees with City of Champaign temporary liquor policies.
Editor’s note: The following is an opinion submission. The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Chambana Today, its newsroom, or its management.
Dear Chambana Today,
I’m reaching out as a local Campustown business owner regarding the recent emergency order restricting retail liquor sales from 6 PM Saturday through Sunday morning. I believe this is an important issue that deserves public attention.
This order is completely backwards and does not make sense from a public safety standpoint. Retail stores are being forced to stop sales, yet bars are still allowed to serve alcohol during the same time. If the goal is safety, this decision is doing the opposite—pushing more people into crowded bars instead of allowing them to stay home and watch the game responsibly.
Additionally, why is this restriction only being applied to Campustown? If this is truly about public safety, then it should be enforced across the entire city—not selectively targeting small businesses near campus. This uneven approach feels unfair and raises serious concerns.
Even more concerning, this order could increase risks. People who are unable to purchase alcohol in Campustown will simply travel outside the area, consume alcohol, and then return—potentially leading to more instances of drinking and driving. That does not improve safety; it creates a bigger problem.
As a business owner directly impacted, I strongly believe this policy sends the wrong message and unfairly penalizes local retailers while ignoring the real risks.
Santokh Singh, Owner, Liquor Land
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