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TO: Mayor John Laesch
FROM: Jennifer Stallings, City Clerk
DATE: August 5, 2026
SUBJECT:
A Resolution establishing the maximum number of liquor licenses by class.
PURPOSE:
To maintain the number of available Class C - Specialty Onsite Consumption liquor licenses to allow the Local Liquor Commissioner to issue a liquor license due to an ownership change.
BACKGROUND:
This request is presented in accordance with the 2011 amendment to the City's Liquor Ordinance, specifically Section 6-9(a), which charges the City Council with the authority to determine the number of licenses available in each classification.
DISCUSSION:
JH Foreign Exchange, Inc., dba Foreign Exchange Brewing at 110 Cross St., has applied for a liquor license in anticipation of the purchase of the existing business, and approval for the issuance of a new liquor license is being sought to accommodate this application. The anticipated new owners of the business, are the owners of two other popular Aurora businesses, Kai Modern Japanese Kitchen at 2 N River St and Touche French Creole at 6 N River St. This location is currently home to Foreign Exchange Brewing and the current owners have a liquor license. Foreign Exchange Brewing offers a menu consisting of several items.
If approved, the number of Class C - Specialty Onsite Consumption liquor licenses will remain the same, as indicated in the accompanying Exhibit A, and will allow for the issuance of the license by the Liquor Commissioner.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
The proposed resolution presents an opportunity to further the City of Aurora's economic development and to bring additional revenue to the City of Aurora.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Staff recommends that this resolution be approved.
cc: Public Health, Safety & Transportation Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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A Resolution establishing the maximum number of Class C: Specialty Onsite Consumption liquor licenses, (unofficially related to the application from JH Foreign Exchange, Inc. dba Foreign Exchange Brewing located at 110 Cross St.). [Ward 4]
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WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, in accordance with Section 4-1 of the Illinois Liquor Control Act, 235 ILCS 5/4-1, and Section 6-9 of the City of Aurora Liquor Ordinance, the City Council may establish the maximum number of liquor licenses allowed within the City of Aurora; and
WHEREAS, in accordance with Section 6-9, it is the desire of the City Council to maintain the maximum number of liquor licenses allowed within the City of Aurora as reflected in the schedule attached hereto as Exhibit A.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: that the allowable liquor licenses are established as set forth in Exhibit A.