Social Hosting/Underage Drinking

Social Hosting / Underage Drinking

Illinois Social Hosting Law (235 ILCS 5/6-16 (a-1)

This specifies that it is against the law for a parent or guardian to knowingly allow underage drinking at parties at a residence or any other private property, public place, or premises under his or her control where any one or more of the persons is under 21 years of age and the person occupying the residence or controlling the private property, public place, or premises knows or reasonably should know that any such person under the age of 21 is in possession of or is consuming any alcoholic beverage.

The fines and penalties relating to the Illinois Law are significant:

• Class A Misdemeanor:Up to 1 year in jail, $500-$2,500 in fines.
• Class 4 Felony:If great bodily harm or death results; 1-3 years in prison, up to $25,000 in fines.