A pair of Peoria stores failed underage alcohol sales compliance checks conducted by the Illinois Liquor Control Commission last week.
Big Hollow Convenient Liquor, located at 6023 North Big Hollow Road, and Casey’s General Store at 7815 North Illinois Route 91 each failed the April 14 checks, conducted in conjunction with the Peoria Police Department.
The commission noted that Big Hollow had one prior violation and Casey’s had two prior violations, increasing the possibility of harsher sanctions against the two stores.
The checks are conducted by enlisting volunteers from local high schools and colleges to visit liquor stores, restaurants and bars to evaluate their compliance with laws restricting the sale of alcohol to people over the age of 21.
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ILCC also puts a major focus on communities that have a large number of underage alcohol sales.
The agency checked 23 separate stores during the operation, including six that had previous violations. Four stores with past violations passed the compliance check: Short Stop Frye Food & Liquor at 1302 East Frye Avenue in Peoria; the Aldi store at 3420 North University Street in Peoria; the Hy-Vee Fast and Fresh Express at 4123 North Sheridan Road; and the Huck’s gas station at 3819 North War Memorial Drive.
The following businesses also passed the compliance check:
In N Out Grocery & Liquor at 305 Wayne St.
Tony’s Market at 2621 Northeast Adams St.
Tequilaria at 3504 North Prospect Road
Star Liquors at 2421 West Starr St.
Griswold Food & Liquor at 1814 South Griswold St.
Forrest Hill Liquors at 2009 West Forrest Hill Ave.
Kroger at 3311 North Sterling Avenue and 801 West Lake Ave.
Walgreens at 3524 North University Ave., 4814 North Sheridan Road and 2324 North War Memorial Drive
Hy-Vee at 4125 North Sheridan Road and 7610 North Orange Prairie Road
Casey’s General Store at 6203 North Big Hollow Road
CVS Pharmacy at 6820 North Peartree Road
Hy-Vee Fast and Fresh at 5421 West War Memorial Drive
Schnucks at 10405 North Centerway Drive
Business owners who fail the checks are charged with a misdemeanor and required to pay a $500 fine, according to the state’s Liquor Control Act. They can also be subject to a suspension or revocation of their state liquor license.
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This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Two Peoria stores sold alcohol to minors in April 2025