Underage Drinking


Parents Who Host, Lose the Most
 
What parents should know:
  • As a parent, you cannot give alcohol to your teen’s friends under the age of 21, even in your own home, even with their parent’s permission.
  • You cannot knowingly allow a person under 21, other than your own child, to remain in your home or on your property while consuming or possessing alcohol.
  • You are deemed to have permitted the use of your residence for persons less than 21 years of age to consume alcohol if you knowingly authorize, enable or permit the use of alcohol to occur by failing to control access to either the residence or the alcoholic liquor maintained in the residence.
If you break the law:
  • Under Illinois law, you can face a sentence of up to a year in jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000. In the event a serious injury or death occurs, you can be charged with a felony and face a sentence of up to 3 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $25,000.
  • Others may be able to sue you if you give alcohol to anyone under 21 and they, in turn, hurt someone, hurt themselves or damage property.
  • Names and addresses of those charged with permitting underage drinking in their homes may be published in Burr Ridge, Chicago and national newspapers.
Things you can do as a parent:
  • Refuse to supply alcohol to persons under 21.
  • Be at home when your teen has a party.
  • Make sure that alcohol is not brought into your home or property by your teen’s friends.
  • Talk to other parents about not providing alcohol at other events your child will be attending.
  • Create enjoyable alcohol-free opportunities and activities in your home so teens will feel welcome.