COMPROMISE IN THE PRAIRIE STATE

Illinois wholesalers and wine-makers appear close to making a final decision. Negotiators on both sides have agreed to give up certain demands although neither will admit that a compromise has been fully reached. Illinois beer distributors want to limit wine sales to mail-order customers receiving two cases yearly, and only after they had first purchased wine at the actual winery. Wine-makers produced legislation that allows wineries to sell three cases of wine per month to consumers; however, State Rep. Mike Bost claims that wine supporters have already lessened the demand to two cases of wine a month. Also, beer distributors have agreed not to force the rule that limits wineries to selling only mail-order wine to prior customers. The bills are still pending in the House, and talks are expected to resume today, February 2.