Q. How can I find out who holds a liquor license?



A. On Jan. 1 the Illinois Liquor Control Commission started its "License Validation Look-Up System." At the commission's Web site — www.state.il.us/LCC/ — anyone may check the status of a liquor license, the business name and the people who are listed as the owners of any licensed bar, restaurant or off-premises liquor store.

The system will allow people to search for any of the almost 28,000 businesses licensed to sell liquor in Illinois, including almost 14,000 licensed bars, taverns, restaurants or liquor stores in any county in Illinois, as well as distributors, importers, winery shippers and special event operators. Users can search for a liquor license using various search options such as business name, county, city, street name and/or number or ZIP code. Users also can search by entering all or part of the name of a licensee or owner.

The ILCC Web site also makes information available about licensees who violate various laws and regulations. Monthly reports are posted noting the results of its ongoing efforts to deter sales of alcoholic beverages to underage customers.

Additionally, information about commission disciplinary actions and monetary fines against violators are available on the ILCC site.