State awarding $1 million in grants to reduce youth access to tobacco sales

First-ever combined tobacco/liquor seminars

Teen video contest also announced

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[March 11, 2014]  CHICAGO — To help protect the health of our children, the Illinois Liquor Control Commission is awarding $1 million in grants to communities throughout the state to implement the "Kids Can't Buy 'Em Here" tobacco enforcement program.

"This effort is a two-pronged approach, featuring both education and enforcement," says ILCC Executive Director Gloria L. Materre. "Prevention is always our first priority. Communities who participate in the grant program will initially distribute educational materials to all their tobacco retailers, then conduct compliance checks to ensure they are following the law."

Retailers can also order their own materials by visiting www.state.il.us/lcc/tobacco/orderkit.htm.

While Illinois continues to exceed the federally required 80 percent compliance rate for tobacco enforcement, the state Liquor Control Commission has seen a steady decline in the compliance rate over the past several years. Because of this, a concerted effort is being made this year to implement the "Kids Can't Buy 'Em Here" tobacco program in all areas of the state.

"Our goal is to reach those communities that have not participated in the past," Materre explains. "We want all tobacco retailers to follow the law."

To obtain a grant application (PDF) for the "Kids Can't Buy 'Em Here" tobacco enforcement program, visit www.state.il.us/LCC/tobacco. The deadline for submission is March 31.

First-ever combined educational seminars on liquor and tobacco laws

In order to educate retailers on how to enforce minimum-age laws for both tobacco and liquor sales, the Illinois Liquor Control Commission is hosting free regional educational seminars throughout the state over the next two weeks. For location and registration information, visit www.dontbesorry.org.

In addition to learning more about the aforementioned tobacco program, attendees will learn how their sales staff and patrons can comply with the law by using the ILCC's Beverage Alcohol Sellers/Servers Education & Training program, known as BASSET; the "Don't Be Sorry" underage drinking awareness effort, and the new "Parental Responsibility" and "Your Actions Matter!" campaigns. Free educational materials from all programs will be distributed at each of the regional meeting locations.

To register for one of the free regional meetings and to view the dates, times and locations of all meetings, visit www.dontbesorry.org.

Statewide teen video contest

As part of the "Your Actions Matter!" campaign, the Illinois Liquor Control Commission is conducting a statewide teen video contest open to all youth in Illinois. The 30-second public service announcement submissions will be judged by the quality of work and their effectiveness in encouraging positive underage drinking prevention behavior by parents, particularly those with young teens.

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To select the winning video, the Illinois Liquor Control Commission convened a judging panel for the contest. Below are this year's panelists, representing all key stakeholder groups, including the prevention field, the local level and the liquor industry:

  • Nolan Burke, Burke Beverage Inc.

  • Heidi Dahnke, Human Resources Center, Edgar/Clark counties

  • Kay Daniel, Menard County School & Community Task Force

  • Peter Dell'Aquila, Chestnut Health Systems

  • Marne Fauser, Illinois Alcoholism & Drug Dependence Association

  • Paula Goodwin, Grundy/Kendall Regional Office of Education

  • Sam Grzeca, The LeaderShop

  • Nikki Lay, Breaking Free Inc.

  • Margaret Polovchak, OMNI Youth Services

  • Adam Price, Youth Outreach Services

  • Mayor Sam Pulia, village of Westchester

  • Judy Randall, health/prevention professional

  • Dr. Julie Tonsing-Meyer, McKendree University

  • Bill Tynan, city of St. Charles

  • Sheriff Kelly Wilhelmi, Whiteside County

Winner(s) will be announced in April during the statewide kickoff for the "Your Actions Matter!"  campaign. Later this year, the winning video will air on TV stations throughout the state.

For contest rules, the application form (PDF) and more information on judging criteria, visit www.youractionsmatter.org. The entry deadline for video submissions is April 8 at 5 p.m. sharp.

[Text from Illinois Liquor Control Commission file received from the Illinois Office of Communication and Information]

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