KANKAKEE, Ill. – The Kankakee City Council has amended an ordinance banning the sale of single-served cans of beer in the downtown area to include any form of alcohol that is not sold in its original packaging by the distributor.
The original ban was implemented a year ago, in response to complaints of public drinking and other issues that Mayor Chris Curtis attributed to the sale of single-served cans. The ban appeared to have solved the problem, until beer sellers began bundling two single-served cans together, which Curtis says has led to an increase in public drinking and related issues in the last 30 days.
The new amendment is intended to close this loophole and ensure that all alcohol sold in the downtown area is sold in its original packaging. Curtis says that the goal is not to restrict sales, but rather to prevent the negative effects of public drinking on the community.
The amendment has received support from local residents, who have expressed concern about the impact of public drinking on the city’s image and quality of life. The Kankakee City Council hopes that the amended ordinance will be effective in combating these issues and improving the downtown area for residents and visitors alike.
