Proposal for downtown social district, BYOB at hookah lounges advance to Rockford City Council

ROCKFORD — City Council members on Monday moved forward plans to create a downtown social district that allows you to stroll between businesses with an alcoholic drink in a special branded cup.

The measure was combined at the request of Alderman Mark Bonne with a proposal to allow customers at hookah lounges to consume alcohol inside the premises if they bring their own drinks. Hookah lounges would be prohibited from selling alcohol, but it would authorize so-called BYOB, or bring your own booze.

The vote to combine the measures passed the Code & Regulation Committee 3-2 with Aldermen Tim Durkee, Isidro Barrios and Bonne voting in favor. Alderwomen Gabrielle Torina and Gina Meeks voted against the combination. Then, the combined proposals passed with the same 3-2 vote after roughly an hour and 15 minutes of debate.

The combined proposals now go before the full 14-member City Council next week.

“They both represent a relaxing, if you will, of some part of our liquor ordinances,” Bonne said of combining the measures.

However, he said his ultimate goal was to increase the likelihood of the measure passing on hookah lounges, which affects a potential business in his ward. A business owner wants to open a hookah lounge with BYOB allowed on South Alpine Road, where a former lounge operated.

“Yes, this is a strategic move to increase the likelihood of the hookah ordinance passing,” Bonne said. “Yes, of course it is. Duh.”

The proposed social district would allow any bar, restaurant or other business within the boundaries to register to opt in. Those who have not opted in would be provided stickers to notify patrons they cannot bring alcohol in.

Special events held at the outdoor Rockford City Market pavilion, Joe Marino Park and Davis Park could opt in on a case-by-case basis. The hours for the social district would be 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

The Rockford River District, a nonprofit group which pushed forward the measure after surveying downtown business owners, and city staff hope the social district increases economic activity and the overall liveliness of downtown.

Concerns were raised about enforcing the restrictions of the proposal, such as prohibiting drinking in parking lots and parks or bringing the alcohol with you to your car.

“Even tonight it was pointed out to me that someone was right across the street from here, where we sit right now, with a 40-ouncer, and just drinking away,” said Alderman Chad Tuneberg, whose 3rd Ward includes part of downtown. “If we’re having a hard time enforcing even that, I can see possible enforcement issues being a concern going forth.”

Legal director Nick Meyer said in Carbondale, a city in southern Illinois that the city based part of its proposed social district rules after, there had not been increases in drunken driving or other citations.

The measures go before the full council on Tuesday, Sept. 5 after the Labor Day holiday.

This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at [email protected] or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas