Naperville restaurant loses liquor license

Naperville has revoked a restaurant's liquor license for serving liquor without a state liquor license and for refilling original liquor packages, officials said Monday.

Mayor Steve Chirico, acting in his role as liquor commissioner, signed an order earlier this month revoking the city liquor license for the Mexican Grille restaurant at 1550 N. Route 59, according to a statement.

City officials said Mexican Grille had several violations within the past few years, including some in June 2018 that led to the license revocation.

In 2016, the restaurant was fined $500 and had its liquor license suspended for three days for allowing patrons to re-enter less than an hour before closing in violation of city code. Last year, Mexican Grille was given a 10-day license suspension after four employees were unable to present a valid Beverage Alcohol Sellers and Servers Education and Training card.

"I take my responsibility as liquor commissioner very seriously and believe that it is important to have fair and consistent enforcement for our businesses and license holders," Chirico said in the statement. "Over the past several years, I think the liquor commission has done an excellent job setting the expectations for our business and restaurant owners.

"Mexican Grille had numerous violations and yet continued to ignore the rules, and as a result, placed residents and guests at risk," he said.

Officials said the owner of Mexican Grille entered into an agreement with the city where the owner admitted to the violations and agreed to the revocation of the liquor license. The agreement prohibits the owner and any other principals of Mexican Grille from applying or holding a Naperville liquor license.

Chirico signed the order revoking the license on Sept. 6.