Rochelle Council Lowers Minimum Age for Alcohol Service Waitstaff

ROCHELLE — The Rochelle City Council has approved an ordinance updating the city’s liquor code to lower the minimum age for waitstaff serving alcoholic beverages from 19 to 18 years old. City officials said the change aligns local rules with Illinois law, which allows individuals 18 and older to serve alcohol as waitstaff while still prohibiting them from bartending, mixing, pouring or preparing alcoholic drinks. Under the ordinance, employees age 18 and older may serve and deliver alcoholic beverages to customers but must continue to work under the existing restrictions that reserve alcohol preparation and bartending duties for employees 21 and older.