[HISTORY: Adopted by the County Board of Stephenson County 10-13-1981 (Ch. 3 1/2,
Art. II, of the 1977 Code). Amendments noted where applicable.]
It shall be unlawful for any person to operate or maintain a
public dance hall or roadhouse for the use of the general public outside
of any city, village or incorporated town, where admission is being
charged directly or indirectly, without first obtaining a license
from the County Board in accordance with this chapter.
A.
All licenses granted by the County Board under this chapter shall
expire one year from date of issue, and shall state thereon the name
and address of the licensee and a description of the premises for
which the license is granted, the date of issue and expiration, and
that the agreements made in the application shall constitute a part
of the license. The license shall be signed by the Chairman of the
County Board and shall contain such additional provisions as are provided
by the following subsection.
B.
Every license shall contain, among other things, the following: "By
the acceptance of this license the licensee agrees to abide and be
bound by all the restrictions and regulations as are now or may hereafter
be provided by the laws of the State of Illinois, and all resolutions
relating to regulation of dance halls passed by the County Board of
this County, and all amendments thereto, either now existing or which
may be hereafter passed, and hereby authorizes the Chairman of the
County Board of Stephenson County to revoke this license without notice
or hearing for any violation of this agreement or for any of the reasons
which may be now or hereafter provided by law or resolution of the
County Board of this County, and the license fee paid for such license
shall be forfeited to the County of Stephenson."
Application for the license required by this chapter shall be
made with the County Clerk in writing under oath on forms of application
furnished by the Clerk. Such application shall contain the information
and statements as set out in this chapter. A fee as set from time
to time by the County Board shall accompany such application and shall
be returned to the applicant in case a license is not granted.
All applications for licenses under this chapter shall be referred
to the County Liquor Commission, herein called "committee," which
shall make a thorough investigation and shall check the applicant's
record for the last five years with the police, Sheriff and State's
Attorney in the county or counties where he last resided as well as
this County before submitting its report and recommendation to the
County Board. The County Board shall render its decision on an application
to issue or renew a license within 30 days after the application is
received.
A.
No license to operate a dance hall or roadhouse shall be issued under
this chapter in any event until the person desiring the license shall
make written application therefor, under oath, which application shall
state the following, in addition to the other things required by law
or by this chapter:
(1)
The name, address and residence of the applicant; that he has resided
in the County not less than one year and is a citizen of the United
States, and shall state whether or not he is naturalized and, if so,
shall state the time and place of such naturalization. If the applicant
is a corporation, it shall state when it was incorporated and shall
state the book and page in which its articles of incorporation have
been recorded.
(2)
That the applicant has never been convicted of a felony or of a misdemeanor
punishable by a minimum imprisonment of six months or longer.
(3)
The location of the place or building where the applicant intends
to operate or maintain the dance hall or roadhouse. Such place or
building where the dance hall or roadhouse is to be operated or maintained
shall conform to all laws, health and fire regulations applicable
thereto and shall be properly ventilated and supplied with separate
and sufficient toilet arrangements for each gender. Such toilets shall
have washbowl and water closet equipment and be located on the same
floor as the dance hall or roadhouse. The premises must be well lighted
with plain white light outside as well as inside of the premises and
be a safe and proper place for a public dance hall or roadhouse.[1]
B.
Each application for a dance hall or roadhouse license shall also
contain the following: "I hereby agree to abide and be bound by all
restrictions and regulations as are now or may hereafter be provided
by the laws of the State of Illinois, and all resolutions relating
to regulation of dance halls passed by the County Board of this County,
and all amendments thereto, either now existing or which may be hereafter
passed, and that the Chairman of the County Board of Stephenson County
may revoke the license granted on this application without notice
or hearing for any violation of this agreement, or for any of the
reasons which may be now or hereafter provided by law, or resolution
of the County Board of this County, and the license fee paid for such
license shall be forfeited to the County of Stephenson."
All applications for dance hall or roadhouse licenses shall
be referred to the Liquor Commission, and when such licenses are granted
by this Board, they shall be under the jurisdiction of the Liquor
Commission.
A.
The Chairman of the County Board may revoke the license required
by this chapter for any of the following violations:
(1)
The licensee knowingly permits any person under the age of 16 years
to be present in or to frequent such dance hall or roadhouse, unless
accompanied by his parent or legal guardian or proper escort.
(2)
When the dance hall or roadhouse, as operated and maintained, unreasonably
and needlessly disturbs the peace of the neighborhood.
(3)
When disorderly or immoral practices are permitted or intoxicating
liquor is sold on the premises.
(4)
When circumstances happen or become known to the County Board, which,
had they happened or been known at the time of the application for
the license, would have legally justified the County Board in refusing
the license.
(5)
When such dance hall or roadhouse is opened or remains open outside
the hours designated by the County Board.
(6)
When the licensee violates any of the rules and regulations issued
by the County Board.
B.
When any license is revoked by the County Board, the Board shall
not issue a license to operate a dance hall or roadhouse until after
a period of three months from such revocation has elapsed.
It shall be the duty and responsibility of the licensee under
this chapter to allow no employee to operate or be in charge of such
licensed premises during the hours of dancing unless he can and does
qualify as a licensee before the committee.
A licensee under this chapter shall close the licensed premises,
or cause the same to be closed and clear, and exclude therefrom all
customers, guests or other persons after the hour of 12:30 a.m. and
shall conduct no dances on Sundays or Christmas.
On licensed premises where, in the judgment of the Chairman
of the County Board, it is necessary for the purpose of keeping order,
or where, in the judgment of the Chairman of the County Board, the
parking or departing of automobiles is obstructing or endangering
traffic, it shall be the duty of the licensee, upon request of the
Chairman, to engage a deputy sheriff at the expense of the licensee
during such hours as it may be deemed necessary by the Chairman, for
the purposes aforesaid.
Any person who violates any provision of this chapter, or who makes a false statement concerning any material fact, in submitting an application for a license or removal of a license or in any hearing concerning the revocation thereof, shall be punished for each offense by a fine as set forth in Chapter 1, General Provisions, Article II, Penalties, § 1-11.
