cover
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Jennifer Stallings, City Clerk
DATE: July 2, 2025
SUBJECT:
A Resolution establishing the maximum number of liquor licenses by class.
PURPOSE:
To approve the change of ownership of a currently licensed business and maintain the current number of Class B liquor licenses.
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:
GJM Pizza LLC d/b/a Ach-N-Lou's Pizza Pub, was recently issued a liquor license in anticipation of purchasing 100% ownership of the business at 1592 N Farnsworth, for the purposes of selling alcohol for on-site consumption only. Subsequent to the license approval, it was determined that the ownership change will be completed differently than originally planned, and that GJM Pizza LLC will now purchase Ach-N-Lou's Pizza Pub, Inc. In effect, this means that Ach-N-Lou's Pizza Pub, Inc. will continue to operate, just with 100% new ownership. Approval for the new license was previously given by City Council pursuant to Resolution 25-194 on May 27, 2025, therefore, approval for the issuance of a liquor license is being sought in the original name of the corporation at this time.
If approved, this resolution will maintain the number of Class B licenses, as indicated in the accompanying Exhibit A, and will allow for the issuance of the license by the Liquor Commissioner to the "new" owners.
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 ________________
title
A Resolution establishing the maximum number of Class B: Onsite Consumption liquor licenses, (unofficially related to the application from Ach-N-Lou's Pizza Pub Inc. at 1592 N Farnsworth). [Ward 1]
body
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 allowed liquor licenses 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 allowed liquor licenses 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.