Mayor Accused Of Being Weak On Liquor Licenses

BURR RIDGE, IL — A Burr Ridge trustee last week accused the mayor of being a "weak" liquor commissioner who favors campaign contributors. The trustee made this statement just before the village board approved changes to the number of liquor licenses in a couple categories.

In a 4-1 vote, the board reduced the number of a type of liquor license for restaurants to eight, from nine. This was the result of the closing of Porterhouse Restaurant. The board also voted to increase the number of a specialized liquor license for hotels to two, from one currently. This will make way for establishing a license at Hampton Inn. This license is for single servings of packaged beer and wine from a convenience pantry.

Village Trustee Zach Mottl was the lone trustee who voted against the changes to the number of liquor licenses. In the debate, he was focused on Mayor Gary Grasso, who serves as the village's liquor commissioner.

"I have a problem with the liquor commissioner in general. We have a weak liquor commissioner, so I am not in favor of expanding the liquor program at all," Mottl said.

He said Grasso has approved liquor licenses for lawbreakers, favoring campaign donors, though he did not provide details.

"As long as they give 20 grand to you, they are going to get a liquor license — rape or not, heroin or not," Mottl said.

Grasso did not respond to Mottl's accusations at the meeting. In a later interview, Grasso said he wasn't sure what Mottl was referring to. "We don't take what he says seriously," the mayor said.

He said the applicants for licenses have met the qualifications under state law and local ordinance.

In the April election, Grasso defeated Mottl, then the interim mayor, in a landslide. The two men spar during meetings, and, in November, the board voted to censure Mottl, saying he demeaned village staff.