Glenview Bar Serves Beer to 12-Year-Old, Busted in County Sheriff Sting

in unincorporated Glenview was one of eight area businesses busted for serving alcohol to minors last weekend. In anticipation of spring break, the Cook County Sheriff’s Office has been conducting random compliance checks at liquor stores, bars and restaurants in suburban communities to ensure no one under 21 is being served, officials said earlier this week.

Sheriff’s Police teams partnered with local high school and junior high students to visit businesses in Maine, Leyden and Wheeling Townships. Investigators, along with a 12-year-old, a 14-year-old, a 17-year-old and two 18-year-olds, visited 18 businesses total, five of which sold alcohol to minors. Undercover investigators watched from outside as the minors entered businesses and attempted to order or purchase alcohol, officials explained.

Among those was Premier Billiards & Café, 2626 Golf Rd. When the 12-year-old and other teens ordered beer, a waitress failed to ask for identification and also filled the teens’ drink order, according to officials.  

Premier’s manger declined to comment on the story. 

While not involved with the County Sheriff’s sting, Commander Jeff Ader said local police also enforce underage-drinking laws strongly.

“Random checks like this help keep things in check and keep things legit,” he said. “If you’re messing with kids you can have your [liquor] license taken away.

These undercover efforts will continue throughout the suburbs, explained Sheriff Thomas J. Dart. The penalty for businesses that violate underage-drinking laws usually starts at a $500 fine.