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Governor Quinn Proclaims April as Alcohol Awareness Month


CHICAGO–(ENEWSPF)–March 31, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today proclaimed April as Alcohol Awareness month in Illinois as state, county, and city officials gathered with liquor licensees, teenagers, hospitality industry executives, and prevention professionals to raise awareness about the dangers of underage drinking.

“We have a duty to ensure the safety of our young people and reducing underage drinking is vital to that mission,” said Governor Quinn. “By presenting a united front with prevention professionals, law enforcement, and officials at all levels of government, we are sending a powerful message to our youth: we care about their future and will do whatever it takes to help them make good decisions.”

As part of a month-long public awareness campaign during April, thousands of youth and adult volunteers will visit liquor stores throughout the state with signs, posters, decals, and stickers reminding adults that it is illegal to provide alcohol to minors and for minors to use fake identification.

“Friends and family over the age of 21 remain the primary source of alcohol for underage drinking,” said Gloria Materre, Executive Director of the Illinois Liquor Control Commission. “Parental responsibility, in particular, is one of the messages our volunteers are sharing with their communities. Thanks to the outstanding statewide support from state liquor licensees, parents are learning the effects of alcohol consumption on their children’s health and mental well-being. I am confident this valuable information will encourage both adults and teens to make more responsible choices.”

The Illinois Liquor Control Commission is the state regulatory agency which ensures liquor licensees comply with the provisions of the Liquor Control Act. The Commission provides industry education programs which focus on enforcement practices, interpretations of Illinois liquor control laws, reduction programs on illegal sales of alcoholic beverages to minors, and licensed training on responsible server and seller practices. In addition, the ILCC is also designated as the lead agency in developing a strategy for reducing the availability and delivery of tobacco products to minors.

For more information about the Project Sticker Shock campaign and other ILCC underage drinking awareness efforts, please visit www.DontBeSorry.org.

Source: illinois.gov


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