Penalties stiff for underage persons who violate state drinking laws
Consumption of alcohol by persons under age 21 is a persistent problem for law enforcement and an offense that can have serious consequences for anyone involved.
In Illinois, the legal drinking age is 21 for all alcoholic beverages. Underage drinkers violate the law when they commit the following infractions:
- Possess alcohol on a public street or in a public place;
- Drink alcohol, unless it is part of a religious service or ceremony;
- Lie about their age to get alcohol;
- Occupy a residence and knowingly let someone under 21 possess alcohol;
- Rent a hotel or motel room, knowing that the room will be used for illegal drinking;
- Carry, make, obtain or copy a false identification card;
- Operate a motor vehicle with any alcohol in their system. Illinois' "Use It & Lose It"/zero tolerance law became effective on January 1, 1995. It set the acceptable blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level for drivers under the age of 21 at .00.
Penalties for violating the laws are stiff. For illegal possession of alcohol, the fine can range from $500 to $2,500 and/or 1 to 364 days in jail. The use of a false I.D. card can lead to a fine of $25,000 or three years in jail.
Adults over age 21, who provide alcohol to or for minors, also violate the law and face criminal penalties. For the illegal sale or furnishing of alcohol to minors, there is a penalty of up to $2,500 and/or 364 days in jail.
Note: This information was prepared as a public service by the Illinois State Bar Association and is a joint project with the Illinois Press Association. Its purpose is to inform citizens of their legal rights and obligations.
© Illinois State Bar Association
If you have questions about the application of the law in a particular case, consult your lawyer. The law is constantly changing. Information on this site or any site to which we link does not constitute legal advice.