Illinois: Are happy hour drink specials legal?
Illinois allows happy hours, but only up to 4 hours a day and 15 a week, and not after 10 p.m.
Illinois ended its happy hour ban in 2015. A discount has to be posted on the premises or the bar's website at least 7 days ahead, and the price can't change during the discount period. Two-for-one deals, unlimited drinks for a set price, and bigger pours at the same price are still banned, and so is advertising them.
Conditions
- No more than 4 hours a day and 15 hours a week
- No discounts from 10 p.m. to closing
- Post the discount at least 7 days ahead, on site or online
- No two-for-one or unlimited drinks for a set price
What the law says
(10) discount any drink of alcoholic liquor during a specified time period only if: (A) the price of the drink of alcoholic liquor is not changed during the time that it is discounted; (B) the period of time during which any drink of alcoholic liquor is discounted does not exceed 4 hours per day and 15 hours per week; however, this period of time is not required to be consecutive and may be divided by the licensee in any manner; (C) the drink of alcoholic liquor is not discounted between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and the licensed premises' closing hour; and (D) notice of the discount of the drink of alcoholic liquor during a specified time is posted on the licensed premises or on the licensee's publicly available website at least 7 days prior to the specified time.
Sources
- 235 ILCS 5/6-28.5 (Illinois General Assembly) Official · ilga.gov
- 235 ILCS 5/6-28.5 (FindLaw) Mirror of official text · codes.findlaw.com
- 235 ILCS 5/6-28 (FindLaw) Mirror of official text · codes.findlaw.com
Confirm with the state
- Agency
- Illinois Liquor Control Commission
- Phone
- 312-814-2206
- Website
- ilcc.illinois.gov
How bordering states compare
- Indiana Allowed with limitsIndiana has allowed happy hours since July 2024, capped at 4 hours a day and 15 a week, never 9 p.m. to 3 a.m.
- Iowa AllowedIowa's alcohol law has no rule against happy hour drink discounts.
- Kentucky Allowed with limitsKentucky has no happy hour ban, but retailers can't offer coupons on alcohol, give drinks away, or sell below cost.
- Missouri AllowedMissouri has no state rule limiting happy hour drink prices at bars and restaurants.
- Wisconsin AllowedWisconsin's alcohol laws have no rule limiting happy hours or drink specials at bars and restaurants.