Bill
HB 3172
The bill creates a new Third-Class Wine-Maker license allowing up to 250,000 gallons per year, with expanded on-site, off-site, and self-distribution options for Illinois wine prod
Note on document discrepancy
- The bill metadata you provided gives the title “Relating to reducing the vulnerability of structures to wildfire; declaring an emergency,” but the full text/version you attached is an amendment to the Illinois Liquor Control Act of 1934 and concerns wine-maker licensing. This summary covers the actual bill text as introduced (liquor/wine licensing). If you intended the wildfire bill, please provide that text.
Summary — main purpose
- HB 3172 (introduced Feb. 18–21, 2025) proposes to amend the Illinois Liquor Control Act to create a new “third‑class wine‑maker” license and to modify related definitions, licensing privileges, and premises/retail sales rules. The changes expand production and on‑site/off‑site retail allowances for certain wine producers and add corresponding licensing categories and references in statute.
Key provisions and changes
- New license class: Establishes a Third‑Class Wine‑Maker license (added to the list of manufacturer class licenses).
- Production cap for third‑class: Allows manufacture of up to 250,000 gallons of wine per year by third‑class licensees.
- Self‑distribution exemption: A third‑class licensee that annually produces less than 250,000 gallons may apply to the Illinois Liquor Control Commission for a self‑distribution exemption permitting sale of not more than 25,000 gallons per year of the licensee’s wine directly to retail licensees.
- Sales to brewers: Permits such licensees to sell cider, mead, or both to brewers (Class 1–3 brewers) that sell beer, cider, mead, or combinations to non‑licensees at their breweries.
- Wine‑maker’s premises retail sales: A wine‑maker’s premises license, when held concurrently with a third‑class wine‑maker license, may allow retail sales/offerings at the specified premises of up to 250,000 gallons per year of wine made at that licensed premises for consumption (not for resale).
- Off‑site locations: Increases the number of allowed additional locations where the licensee may sell for use/consumption (not for resale) from 2 to up to 3 additional locations (i.e., adds one additional permitted off‑site location).
- Licensing fees: Sets licensing fees for the new third‑class wine‑maker license and for a fourth location on a wine‑maker’s premises license (the text references fees but does not include specific dollar amounts in the excerpt).
- Statutory cross‑references amended: Amends multiple sections (235 ILCS 5/1‑3.12; 1‑3.40; 3‑12; 5‑1; 5‑3) to add the new license class and update definitions and the list of manufacturer license classes.
Who is affected
- Small and mid‑sized wine producers seeking to scale production up to 250,000 gallons/year.
- Retailers and breweries that may receive self‑distributed wine or cider/mead under the exemption.
- Illinois distributors (potentially affected by expanded producer self‑distribution).
- Illinois Liquor Control Commission (administration, licensing, enforcement).
- Consumers (more on‑site and limited off‑site access to producer product).
Procedural status and timeline (selected)
- Introduced by Rep. Theresa Mah (primary); co‑sponsors Rep. Will Guzzardi, Rep. Michelle Mussman, and Rep. Kelly M. Cassidy.
- First reading and referred to Rules Committee (Feb 18–21, 2025); hearings and referrals followed in March 2025 (Climate, Energy & Environment; Executive; Ways & Means by prior reference).
- Committee activity: Public hearing and work sessions in March 2025; committee substitute considered and a recommendation “Do pass with amendments, be printed A‑Engrossed, and be referred to Ways and Means” was made on 2025‑03‑26.
- Current status: Left pending in committee; “in committee upon adjournment” as of 2025‑06‑28.
- Companion bill: SB 854.
Notes and open items
- The excerpt sets production and distribution thresholds (250,000 and 25,000 gallons) and increases permitted off‑site retail locations, but it does not show the specific fee amounts for the new license or the fourth location in the provided text.
- The initial metadata’s emergency declaration and wildfire subject do not appear in the bill text; if an emergency clause or wildfire provisions were intended, they are not present in the attached version.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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