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Mundelein suspends Blue 60 liquor license
Updated: August 20, 2012 6:07AM
MUNDELEIN -- The Blue 60 sports bar and restaurant in Mundelein had its license liquor temporarily suspended after being cited for multiple liquor license violations following a brawl that resulted in one man being hospitalized.
The sport bar, which has been cited for other violations over the past several months, could face even more serious penalties, including possible license revocation, based on the outcome of a hearing in August.
At approximately 1:40 a.m. on July 4, Mundelein police responded to the establishment after receiving reports of a large brawl, which required mutual aid from the Libertyville, Vernon Hills and Lincolnshire police departments, according to Police Chief Ray Rose. Upon arriving on the scene, police found one man had been seriously injured in the fight and had to be transported by ambulance to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville. Rose said that the victim suffered a broken jaw and police have not yet been able to locate the perpetrator.
Because of the size of the crowd of about 350 people, which exceeded the bar’s capacity, and the fact a large number of patrons were intoxicated, Rose said police ordered the bar immediately closed. It was allowed to reopen the next day but had its liquor license suspended until July 12.
Sale to minors
At a liquor commission hearing before the Mundelein Village Board, Village Prosecutor Charles Smith said the village had issued 12 liquor license and code violations against the sports bar. Several of the charges stem from the July 4 incident including serving intoxicating persons, fire code violations and exceeding capacity. Blue 60 also was cited for two earlier violations for sales of alcohol to minors and allowing underage consumption stemming from separate occasions on May 30 and June 30.
Rose said the police department has had reports of other incidents such as fights, staying open after hours and minor drinking since the bar opened last year. In December, he said the bar paid a $1,800 fine for liquor license violations.
Rose said the ongoing problems indicate “a clear pattern of poor management” which he believes warrants revocation of the liquor license.
“I don’t believe any community would find this kind of activity acceptable,” he said.
The liquor commission, which consists of the mayor and Village Board, had initially proposed to hold a hearing on the violations at its next meeting on July 23. Blue 60 owner Steve Itsines requested an extension to Aug. 13 to give him more time to review and respond to the violations. The board voted 4-2 to grant the extension.
Itsines told the board that he had just been presented with a number of the allegations on July 9 and wanted to seek legal counsel. Itsines, who lives in Wisconsin, said he has been attempting to sell the business.
“I don’t want an adversarial relationship with the village,” Itsines said after the meeting. “I think it’s smart for me to get an attorney and try to answer these charges.”
Itsines would not comment further on the specific violations, but said: “I know I have a good business.”
