Champaign's mayor is issuing an emergency order during this year's "Unofficial" Saint Patrick's Day.
"Unofficial" is a weekend long party that draws thousands of students to U of I.
Don Gerard says the weekend of March 1st is this year's "Unofficial", and it causes a threat to public health, safety, and welfare.
He says the area from Neil Street to Wright Street and from Kirby Avenue to Springfield Avenue is affected.
The order places limitations on all businesses with a bar or restaurant liquor license the weekend of March 1st.
Those limitations include:
— Bars, restaurants and liquor stores are prohibited from serving or selling alcohol before 10 a.m.
— Bars and restaurants are prohibited from hosting private parties that include special drink pricing or other privileges.
— Bars and restaurants may not serve beer in pitchers, and all drinks must be served in aluminum containers or paper or plastic cups.
— No one under the age of 21 may be allowed to enter a bar all day on March 1 and after 9 p.m. on March 2. Bars must have a staff member checking identification at entrances.
— Customers must complete an "adult responsibility form" before purchasing 168 or more 12-ounce containers of beer or malt liquor; 100 ounces or 3,000 milliliters of hard liquor; or one keg.
— The city will not issue keg permits for March 1 or March 2, which makes it illegal to possess more than one keg per residence.
— If police determine that pedestrian traffic impedes vehicular traffic, police have the authority to order any or all liquor-licensed establishments to close until further notice.
All businesses holding a Class P package liquor license allowing for the sale of package liquor for consumption off the premises within the geographic area bounded by University Avenue on the north, Wright Street on the east, State Street on the west and Kirby Avenue on the south, shall be prohibited from selling package liquor between the hours of 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. on Friday, March 1, 2013 and Saturday, March 2, 2013.
Completion of an Adult Responsibility Form prescribed by the Liquor Commissioner prior to the sale of the following quantities must be made and maintained by all Class P package liquor establishments:
-168 or more 12 ounce containers of beer or malt beverage.
-100 ounces or 3,000 mL of distilled spirits.
-one keg.
No keg permits will be issued by the Liquor Commissioner for the time period from 12:01 a.m. Friday, March 1, 2013 until 2:30 a.m. Sunday, March 3, 2013. It is unlawful to possess more than one keg per residence.
If the police determine that the pedestrian traffic impedes the vehicular traffic in the area affected by this order, the police have the authority to order any or all liquor-licensed establishments to close until further notice or until the termination of this Order.