IL SENATE COMMITTEE APPROVES CONTROVERSIAL SHIPPING BILL

Remember that bill in Illinois that is giving out-of-state retailers so much trouble? A senate committee approved the bill yesterday (August 6) and now heads to the full senate for final passage as early as today. If the senate approves the measure, the only thing from keep SB 123 from becoming a law is the governor’s signature.

Under SB 123 (partner to HB 429), wineries are permitted to ship up to 12 cases to an individual each year after obtaining a winery shipper's license. Winery orders may be placed via internet and/or phone. In addition, it allows small wineries both in-state and out-of-state that produces less than 25,000 gallons of wine annually to sell up to 5,000 gallons a year to in-state retailers. In-state retailers also retain the ability to ship directly to consumers, but the proposal bars out-of-state retailers from doing the same thing.