§ 6-4

(Text of Section before amendment by P.A. 104-451 ) Sec. 6-4. (a) No person licensed by any licensing authority as a distiller, or a wine manufacturer, or any subsidiary or affiliate thereof, or any officer, associate, member, partner, representative, employee, agent or shareholder owning more than 5% of the outstanding shares of such person shall be issued an importing distributor's or distributor's license, nor shall any person licensed by any licensing authority as an importing distributor, distributor or retailer, or any subsidiary or affiliate thereof, or any officer or associate, member, partner, representative, employee, agent or shareholder owning more than 5% of the outstanding shares of such person be issued a distiller's license, a craft distiller's license, or a wine manufacturer's license; and no person or persons licensed as a distiller, craft distiller, class 1 craft distiller, or class 2 craft distiller by any licensing authority shall have any interest, directly or indirectly, with such distributor or importing distributor. However, an importing distributor or distributor, which on January 1, 1985 is owned by a brewer, or any subsidiary or affiliate thereof or any officer, associate, member, partner, representative, employee, agent or shareholder owning more than 5% of the outstanding shares of the importing distributor or distributor referred to in this paragraph, may own or acquire an ownership interest of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of a wine manufacturer and be issued a wine manufacturer's license by any licensing authority. (b) The foregoing provisions shall not apply to any person licensed by any licensing authority as a distiller or wine manufacturer, or to any subsidiary or affiliate of any distiller or wine manufacturer who shall have been heretofore licensed by the State Commission as either an importing distributor or distributor during the annual licensing period expiring June 30, 1947, and shall actually have made sales regularly to retailers. (c) Provided, however, that in such instances where a distributor's or importing distributor's license has been issued to any distiller or wine manufacturer or to any subsidiary or affiliate of any distiller or wine manufacturer who has, during the licensing period ending June 30, 1947, sold or distributed as such licensed distributor or importing distributor alcoholic liquors and wines to retailers, such distiller or wine manufacturer or any subsidiary or affiliate of any distiller or wine manufacturer holding such distributor's or importing distributor's license may continue to sell or distribute to retailers such alcoholic liquors and wines which are manufactured, distilled, processed or marketed by distillers and wine manufacturers whose products it sold or distributed to retailers during the whole or any part of its licensing periods; and such additional brands and additional products may be added to the line of such distributor or importing distributor, provided, that such brands and such products were not sold or distributed by any distributor or importing distributor licensed by the State Commission during the licensing period ending June 30, 1947, but can not sell or distribute to retailers any other alcoholic liquors or wines. (d) It shall be unlawful for any distiller licensed anywhere to have any stock ownership or interest in any distributor's or importing distributor's license wherein any other person has an interest therein who is not a distiller and does not own more than 5% of any stock in any distillery. Nothing herein contained shall apply to such distillers or their subsidiaries or affiliates, who had a distributor's or importing distributor's license during the licensing period ending June 30, 1947, which license was owned in whole by such distiller, or subsidiaries or affiliates of such distiller. (e) Any person licensed as a brewer, class 1 brewer, or class 2 brewer shall be permitted to sell on the licensed premises to non-licensees for on or off-premises consumption for the premises in which he or she actually conducts such business: (i) beer manufactured by the brewer, class 1 brewer, class 2 brewer, or class 3 brewer; (ii) beer manufactured by any other brewer, class 1 brewer, class 2 brewer, or class 3 brewer; and (iii) cider or mead. Any person licensed as a class 3 brewer shall be permitted to sell on the licensed premises to non-licensees for on or off premises consumption for the premises in which he or she actually conducts such business: (i) beer manufactured by the class 3 brewer on the premises; (ii) beer manufactured by any other brewer, class 1 brewer, class 2 brewer, or class 3 brewer; and (iii) cider, wine, and spirits. All products sold under this subsection that are not manufactured on premises must be purchased through a licensed distributor, importing distributor, or manufacturer with self-distribution privileges. Such sales shall be limited to on-premises, in-person sales only, for lawful consumption on or off premises. Such authorization shall be considered a privilege granted by the brewer license and, other than a manufacturer of beer as stated above, no manufacturer or distributor or importing distributor, excluding airplane licensees exercising powers provided in paragraph (i) of Section 5-1 of this Act, or any subsidiary or affiliate thereof, or any officer, associate, member, partner, representative, employee or agent, or shareholder shall be issued a retailer's license, nor shall any person having a retailer's license, excluding airplane licensees exercising powers provided in paragraph (i) of Section 5-1 of this Act, or any subsidiary or affiliate thereof, or any officer, associate, member, partner, representative or agent, or shareholder be issued a manufacturer's license or importing distributor's license. A manufacturer of beer that imports or transfers beer into this State must comply with Sections 6-8 and 8-1 of this Act. A person who holds a class 2 brewer license and is authorized by this Section to sell beer to non-licensees shall not sell beer to non-licensees from more than 3 total brewer or commonly owned brew pub licensed locations in this State. The class 2 brewer shall designate to the State Commission the brewer or brew pub locations from which it will sell beer to non-licensees. A person licensed as a class 1 craft distiller or a class 2 craft distiller, including a person who holds more than one class 1 craft distiller or class 2 craft distiller license, not affiliated with any other person manufacturing spirits may be authorized by the State Commission to sell (1) up to 5,000 gallons of spirits produced by the person to non-licensees for on or off-premises consumption for the premises in which he or she actually conducts business permitting only the retail sale of spirits manufactured at such premises and (2) vermouth purchased through a licensed distributor for on-premises consumption. Such sales shall be limited to on-premises, in-person sales only, for lawful consumption on or off premises, and such authorization shall be considered a privilege granted by the class 1 craft distiller or class 2 craft distiller license. A class 1 craft distiller or class 2 craft distiller licensed for retail sale shall secure liquor liability insurance coverage in an amount at least equal to the maximum liability amounts set forth in subsection (a) of Section 6-21 of this Act. A class 1 craft distiller or class 2 craft distiller license holder shall not deliver any alcoholic liquor to any non-licensee off the licensed premises. A class 1 craft distiller or class 2 craft distiller shall affirm in its annual license application that it does not produce more than 50,000 or 100,000 gallons of distilled spirits annually, whichever is applicable, and that the craft distiller does not sell more than 5,000 gallons of spirits to non-licensees for on or off-premises consumption. In the application, which shall be sworn under penalty of perjury, the class 1 craft distiller or class 2 craft distiller shall state the volume of production and sales for each year since the class 1 craft distiller's or class 2 craft distiller's establishment. A person who holds a class 1 craft distiller or class 2 craft distiller license and is authorized by this Section to sell spirits to non-licensees shall not sell spirits to non-licensees from more than 3 total distillery or commonly owned distilling pub licensed locations in this State. The class 1 craft distiller or class 2 craft distiller shall designate to the State Commission the distillery or distilling pub locations from which it will sell spirits to non-licensees. (f) (Blank). (g) Notwithstanding any of the foregoing prohibitions, a limited wine manufacturer may sell at retail at its manufacturing site for on or off premises consumption and may sell to distributors. A limited wine manufacturer licensee shall secure liquor liability insurance coverage in an amount at least equal to the maximum liability amounts set forth in subsection (a) of Section 6-21 of this Act. (h) The changes made to this Section by Public Act 99-47 shall not diminish or impair the rights of any person, whether a distiller, wine manufacturer, agent, or affiliate thereof, who requested in writing and submitted documentation to the State Commission on or before February 18, 2015 to be approved for a retail license pursuant to what has heretofore been subsection (f); provided that, on or before that date, the State Commission considered the intent of that person to apply for the retail license under that subsection and, by recorded vote, the State Commission approved a resolution indicating that such a license application could be lawfully approved upon that person duly filing a formal application for a retail license and if that person, within 90 days of the State Commission appearance and recorded vote, first filed an application with the appropriate local commission, which application was subsequently approved by the appropriate local commission prior to consideration by the State Commission of that person's application for a retail license. It is further provided that the State Commission may approve the person's application for a retail license or renewals of such license if such person continues to diligently adhere to all representations made in writing to the State Commission on or before February 18, 2015, or thereafter, or in the affidavit filed by that person with the State Commission to support the issuance of a retail license and to abide by all applicable laws and duly adopted rules. (i) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, the common ownership of a brewery, winery, or a distillery shall not authorize the grant of and aggregation of retail privileges granted to any person or licensees in subsection (e). Any person or licensee with common ownership in a brewery, winery, or a distillery shall be limited to the retail privileges granted to only one of the commonly owned brewery, winery, or distillery. The State Commission is hereby authorized to restrict the locations of any commonly owned brewery, winery, or distillery to prevent the expansion of retail privileges, including, without limitation, restricting a commonly owned brewery, winery, or distillery from operating in adjacent licensed premises or restricting self-distribution privileges. (Source: P.A. 101-81, eff. 7-12-19; 101-482, eff. 8-23-19; 101-615, eff. 12-20-19; 102-442, eff. 8-20-21.) (Text of Section after amendment by P.A. 104-451 ) Sec. 6-4. Prohibited ownership interests; retail sales by certain manufacturers. (a) No person licensed by any licensing authority as a distiller, or a wine manufacturer, or any subsidiary or affiliate thereof, or any officer, associate, member, partner, representative, employee, agent or shareholder owning more than 5% of the outstanding shares of such person shall be issued an importing distributor's or distributor's license, nor shall any person licensed by any licensing authority as an importing distributor, distributor or retailer, or any subsidiary or affiliate thereof, or any officer or associate, member, partner, representative, employee, agent or shareholder owning more than 5% of the outstanding shares of such person be issued a distiller's license, a craft distiller's license, or a wine manufacturer's license; and no person or persons licensed as a distiller, craft distiller, class 1 craft distiller, or class 2 craft distiller by any licensing authority shall have any interest, directly or indirectly, with such distributor or importing distributor. However, an importing distributor or distributor, which on January 1, 1985 is owned by a brewer, or any subsidiary or affiliate thereof or any officer, associate, member, partner, representative, employee, agent or shareholder owning more than 5% of the outstanding shares of the importing distributor or distributor referred to in this paragraph, may own or acquire an ownership interest of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of a wine manufacturer and be issued a wine manufacturer's license by any licensing authority. (b) The foregoing provisions shall not apply to any person licensed by any licensing authority as a distiller or wine manufacturer, or to any subsidiary or affiliate of any distiller or wine manufacturer who shall have been heretofore licensed by the State Commission as either an importing distributor or distributor during the annual licensing period expiring June 30, 1947, and shall actually have made sales regularly to retailers. (c) Provided, however, that in such instances where a distributor's or importing distributor's license has been issued to any distiller or wine manufacturer or to any subsidiary or affiliate of any distiller or wine manufacturer who has, during the licensing period ending June 30, 1947, sold or distributed as such licensed distributor or importing distributor alcoholic liquors and wines to retailers, such distiller or wine manufacturer or any subsidiary or affiliate of any distiller or wine manufacturer holding such distributor's or importing distributor's license may continue to sell or distribute to retailers such alcoholic liquors and wines which are manufactured, distilled, processed or marketed by distillers and wine manufacturers whose products it sold or distributed to retailers during the whole or any part of its licensing periods; and such additional brands and additional products may be added to the line of such distributor or importing distributor, provided, that such brands and such products were not sold or distributed by any distributor or importing distributor licensed by the State Commission during the licensing period ending June 30, 1947, but can not sell or distribute to retailers any other alcoholic liquors or wines. (d) It shall be unlawful for any distiller licensed anywhere to have any stock ownership or interest in any distributor's or importing distributor's license wherein any other person has an interest therein who is not a distiller and does not own more than 5% of any stock in any distillery. Nothing herein contained shall apply to such distillers or their subsidiaries or affiliates, who had a distributor's or importing distributor's license during the licensing period ending June 30, 1947, which license was owned in whole by such distiller, or subsidiaries or affiliates of such distiller. (e) Any person licensed as a brewer, class 1 brewer, or class 2 brewer shall be permitted to sell on the licensed premises to non-licensees for on or off-premises consumption for the premises in which he or she actually conducts such business: (i) beer manufactured by the brewer, class 1 brewer, class 2 brewer, or class 3 brewer; (ii) beer manufactured by any other brewer, class 1 brewer, class 2 brewer, or class 3 brewer; and (iii) cider or mead. Any person licensed as a class 3 brewer shall be permitted to sell on the licensed premises to non-licensees for on or off premises consumption for the premises in which he or she actually conducts such business: (i) beer manufactured by the class 3 brewer on the premises; (ii) beer manufactured by any other brewer, class 1 brewer, class 2 brewer, or class 3 brewer; and (iii) cider, wine, and spirits. All products sold under this subsection that are not manufactured on premises must be purchased through a licensed distributor, importing distributor, or manufacturer with self-distribution privileges. Such sales shall be limited to on-premises, in-person sales only, for lawful consumption on or off premises. Such authorization shall be considered a privilege granted by the brewer license and, other than a manufacturer of beer as stated above, no manufacturer or distributor or importing distributor, excluding airplane licensees exercising powers provided in paragraph (i) of Section 5-1 of this Act, or any subsidiary or affiliate thereof, or any officer, associate, member, partner, representative, employee or agent, or shareholder shall be issued a retailer's license, nor shall any person having a retailer's license, excluding airplane licensees exercising powers provided in paragraph (i) of Section 5-1 of this Act, or any subsidiary or affiliate thereof, or any officer, associate, member, partner, representative or agent, or shareholder be issued a manufacturer's license or importing distributor's license. A manufacturer of beer that imports or transfers beer into this State must comply with Sections 6-8 and 8-1 of this Act. A person who holds a class 2 brewer license and is authorized by this Section to sell beer to non-licensees shall not sell beer to non-licensees from more than 3 total brewer or commonly owned brew pub licensed locations in this State. The class 2 brewer shall designate to the State Commission the brewer or brew pub locations from which it will sell beer to non-licensees. A person licensed as a class 1 craft distiller or a class 2 craft distiller, including a person who holds more than one class 1 craft distiller or class 2 craft distiller license, not affiliated with any other person manufacturing spirits may be authorized by the State Commission to sell (1) up to 5,000 gallons of spirits produced by the person to non-licensees for on or off-premises consumption for the premises in which he or she actually conducts business permitting only the retail sale of spirits manufactured at such premises and (2) vermouth purchased through a licensed distributor for on-premises consumption. Such sales shall be limited to on-premises, in-person sales only, for lawful consumption on or off premises, and such authorization shall be considered a privilege granted by the class 1 craft distiller or class 2 craft distiller license. A class 1 craft distiller or class 2 craft distiller licensed for retail sale shall secure liquor liability insurance coverage in an amount at least equal to the maximum liability amounts set forth in subsection (a) of Section 6-21 of this Act. A class 1 craft distiller or class 2 craft distiller license holder shall not deliver any alcoholic liquor to any non-licensee off the licensed premises. A class 1 craft distiller or class 2 craft distiller shall affirm in its annual license application that it does not produce more than 50,000 or 100,000 gallons of distilled spirits annually, whichever is applicable, and that the craft distiller does not sell more than 5,000 gallons of spirits to non-licensees for on or off-premises consumption. In the application, which shall be sworn under penalty of perjury, the class 1 craft distiller or class 2 craft distiller shall state the volume of production and sales for each year since the class 1 craft distiller's or class 2 craft distiller's establishment. A person who holds a class 1 craft distiller or class 2 craft distiller license and is authorized by this Section to sell spirits to non-licensees shall not sell spirits to non-licensees from more than 3 total distillery or commonly owned distilling pub licensed locations in this State. The class 1 craft distiller or class 2 craft distiller shall designate to the State Commission the distillery or distilling pub locations from which it will sell spirits to non-licensees. A class 3 craft distiller license shall allow the licensee to only (i) manufacture up to 100,000 gallons of spirits per year, (ii) make sales of the spirits manufactured on the premises or, with the approval of the State Commission, spirits manufactured on another class 3 craft distiller's licensed premises that are wholly owned and operated by the same licensee to importing distributors and distributors, to retail licensees in accordance with the conditions set forth in paragraph (21) of subsection (a) of Section 3-12 of this Act, and to non-licensees for use and consumption, (iii) store the spirits upon the premises, (iv) sell and offer for sale at retail from the licensed premises for off-premises consumption no more than 5,000 gallons per year so long as such sales are only made in-person, (v) sell and offer for sale at retail for use and consumption on the premises specified in the license any form of alcoholic liquor purchased from a licensed distributor or importing distributor, and (vi) with the prior approval of the State Commission, annually transfer no more than 2,500 gallons of spirits manufactured on the premises to a second and separate location licensed as a class 3 craft distiller if the second location is wholly owned and operated by the same licensee. The second location may operate with the same retail privileges as the original licensed premises. (f) (Blank). (g) Notwithstanding any of the foregoing prohibitions, a limited wine manufacturer may sell at retail at its manufacturing site for on or off premises consumption and may sell to distributors. A limited wine manufacturer licensee shall secure liquor liability insurance coverage in an amount at least equal to the maximum liability amounts set forth in subsection (a) of Section 6-21 of this Act. (h) The changes made to this Section by Public Act 99-47 shall not diminish or impair the rights of any person, whether a distiller, wine manufacturer, agent, or affiliate thereof, who requested in writing and submitted documentation to the State Commission on or before February 18, 2015 to be approved for a retail license pursuant to what has heretofore been subsection (f); provided that, on or before that date, the State Commission considered the intent of that person to apply for the retail license under that subsection and, by recorded vote, the State Commission approved a resolution indicating that such a license application could be lawfully approved upon that person duly filing a formal application for a retail license and if that person, within 90 days of the State Commission appearance and recorded vote, first filed an application with the appropriate local commission, which application was subsequently approved by the appropriate local commission prior to consideration by the State Commission of that person's application for a retail license. It is further provided that the State Commission may approve the person's application for a retail license or renewals of such license if such person continues to diligently adhere to all representations made in writing to the State Commission on or before February 18, 2015, or thereafter, or in the affidavit filed by that person with the State Commission to support the issuance of a retail license and to abide by all applicable laws and duly adopted rules. (i) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, the common ownership of a brewery, winery, or a distillery shall not authorize the grant of and aggregation of retail privileges granted to any person or licensees in subsection (e). Any person or licensee with common ownership in a brewery, winery, or a distillery shall be limited to the retail privileges granted to only one of the commonly owned brewery, winery, or distillery. The State Commission is hereby authorized to restrict the locations of any commonly owned brewery, winery, or distillery to prevent the expansion of retail privileges, including, without limitation, restricting a commonly owned brewery, winery, or distillery from operating in adjacent licensed premises or restricting self-distribution privileges.

Legislative History

(Source: P.A. 104-451, eff. 7-1-26.)