SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - An Illinois law led by state Sen. Cristina Castro will permanently allow cocktails to-go and create a new path for small distilleries to self-distribute spirits, after Gov. JB Pritzker signed Senate Bill 618 into law Friday. The measure takes effect July 1, 2026.
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The law makes permanent a temporary policy allowing licensed bars and restaurants in Illinois to sell cocktails and mixed drinks for delivery and curbside pickup, a practice widely known as cocktails to-go. It also creates a class 3 craft distiller’s license for distilleries that manufacture up to 100,000 gallons of spirits annually, allowing those licensees to apply to self-distribute up to 2,500 gallons each year.
“Supporting restaurants and bars is also supporting small distilleries and local producers across the state,” said Castro, D-Elgin. “We want to make sure local businesses have the easiest path possible to operate, succeed and create jobs in our communities.”
Gov. Pritzker championed the cocktails-to-go policy as a lifeline for the hospitality industry and later signed legislation making the pandemic-era allowance permanent.
Senate Bill 618 also removes a requirement that businesses applying for a liquor license provide a tax bond during the application process. According to the bill summary provided, a tax bond costs small craft manufacturers or distributors about $500 on average to obtain from a financial institution.
The cocktails-to-go policy in Illinois began in 2020 during the pandemic and was spearheaded by state Sen. Sara Feigenholtz in collaboration with Cocktails for Hope and the Illinois Restaurant Association. The permanent codification of the policy under Senate Bill 618 was championed by Castro and Feigenholtz.
Under the law, licensed bars and restaurants may permanently sell mixed drinks and single servings of wine for curbside pickup and delivery. Drinks must be packaged in sealed, tamper-evident containers and labeled with the drink’s name, ingredients, alcohol type and the date it was filled. Purchasers must be 21 or older, with age verified at both purchase and delivery.
The law also requires that drinks be delivered by an employee of the bar or restaurant who is at least 21 years old, rather than by a third-party delivery service. During transport, drinks must be placed in a trunk or another area of the vehicle not readily accessible to passengers.
