Highland Park restaurant, business owners say elected officials should be allowed to hold liquor licenses

A discussion over electoral representation is center-stage in Highland Park after nearly 30 restaurant and business owners urged Mayor Nancy Rotering and the City Council to change the city code which prohibits issuing liquor licenses to elected officials, saying the law infringes on restaurant owners’ right to hold elected office.

The debate around the Prohibition-era law began when city staff and the mayor discovered the code after concerns were brought forward over Councilman Jeff Hoobler’s involvement in discussions on the city’s liquor code.

Hoobler, who was elected in 2023, is also the co-owner of Ravinia Brewing Company in Highland Park – a fact that has been well-known since his campaign for office. Just a couple of months ago, Hoobler’s renewed liquor license was approved by Rotering, who serves as the city’s liquor control commissioner.

After the discrepancy was discovered in February, a motion was made to amend the code at the following council meeting. However, the amendment failed on a tie vote after Hoobler recused himself, with three opposition votes from council members Kim Stone, Anthony Blumberg and Rotering.

City Manager Ghida Neukirch said the council and the Liquor Control Commission have not indicated that they will hold a hearing to consider revocation of the license for the Ravinia Brewing Company.

However, if the local craft pub reapplies for a license renewal in December, under the current law the city would not be able to issue a license to the brewery if its owner continues to be an elected official, Neukirch said.

Now, the restaurant and business owners of Highland Park have made their voices heard with an open letter to the council, arguing that holding a liquor license should not prohibit someone from serving on the City Council and voting on community matters.

“It’s time to give us and our successors the ability to have a voting voice in matters unrelated to alcohol,” the letter said. “This is no different than any other potential conflicts of interest in a small town governed by its residents.”

Dozens of people signed the letter, along with restaurants such as Abigail’s American Bistro, Bluegrass, Cafe Dacha, Norton’s Restaurant and others.