Villa Park trustees decline to waive first reading on Mortadelli liquor-license change after public pleas

The Village of Villa Park Board of Trustees on March 9 heard public support for a proposed change to Mortadelli LLC’s liquor-license classification but voted not to waive the ordinance’s first reading, postponing any final decision.

Manager Rivas introduced an ordinance to amend section 3-13(a) of the Village of Villa Park municipal code to decrease the number of class AAA liquor licenses and increase the number of class I licenses so Mortadelli could convert from class AAA to class I. He told the board the Liquor Control Commission had recommended approval.

Several residents urged the board to move directly to a vote. "The Liquor Control Commission unanimously voted on February 3 to recommend that the Board of Trustees and the Liquor Commissioner approve this license," said Tom King, who identified himself as a Villa Park resident, and asked the board to waive the first reading because the commission had discussed the matter repeatedly.

"I encourage the board to vote yes," said Jacqueline Bullis, another resident, who told trustees the applicant has invested in the village and that higher village revenue can help the school district.

Trustees questioned how class I licenses are defined and how the code treats the ratio of alcohol sales to food sales. Trustee Kumar raised concerns about inconsistent definitions across the liquor code and asked whether future code changes would apply retroactively to existing license holders.

Attorney Morton said the village’s legal office has identified inconsistencies in the liquor ordinance and is preparing language to bring to the Liquor Control Commission in April. He warned that amending the code could create a potential conflict if a new standard were applied mid-year to license holders, noting a licenseholder could contend the change was applied unfairly.

A motion to waive the first reading failed. With the motion defeated, the ordinance remains at first reading and will return to the board at a later meeting after staff and the Liquor Control Commission continue work on the code language.

Next steps: staff said counsel will present updated ordinance language to the Liquor Control Commission in April and the board will revisit the Mortadelli request at a subsequent meeting.