Potential Naperville City Council Candidate Hoping Law Barring Liquor Licensees From Office Gets Overturned
(CBS) -- In Naperville, liquor licensees cannot hold elected office. But a man who wants to run for city council still hopes the outgoing council will change the law, reports WBBM's Bob Roberts.
Jim Bergeron owns Jimmy's Bar and Grill and the Wise Boxer Pour House. He has no intention of closing them.
He thought the 1930s law barring licensees from elected office was erased by the legislature 10 years ago. But because Naperville is a home rule community, the ban remains in place locally.
He says supporters told him he could wait to take his seat until May, after his current liquor licenses expire.
"To me, that just seems like an unethical way to present myself to the voters and it just wasn't right," Bergeron said.
The question is: Will the current council make the change or leave it for the next?
If the council acts at its next meeting March 17, Bergeron says he is back in the council race.