THE IL SENATE HAS APPROVED A CONTROVERSIAL SHIPPING BILL

which now only requires Gov. Blagojevich’s signature to make it a law. The Governor is expected to sign the bill. The process in Illinois has been long and tedious as many different sides have struggled to hammer out an agreement. As a result, we see this as a relief for wholesalers and in-state retailers, but a disappointment for out-of-state retailers and large wineries. We feel like a bit of a broken record, so if you’re look for a deeper follow-up on the bill’s background, click here.

Currently, out-of-state wineries can only ship two cases of wine a year to any Illinois consumer. If signed, the bill would move Illinois from a reciprocal state to a permit state, and allow wineries that produce less than 25,000 gallons a year to ship directly to retailers. Out-of-state retailers would be prohibited from shipping into Illinois, which has led to open dissent from the Specialty Wine Retailers Association.