Huntley bar once again finds itself facing noise complaints from residents
HUNTLEY – My Huntley News previously reported on how Tipsy’s Bar and Pizza located at 10753 Dundee Road, faced off against Huntley’s Liquor Commission on April 22 due to various alleged violations of the Huntley Village Code and the Illinois Liquor Control Act.
Most of the violations cited against Tipsy’s involved police officers observing amplified music being played at a volume and/or in a manner that violated Village Code section 130.09 entitled “Noise.”
Since that time, Tipsy’s owners Gino DeFrancisco and Taras Lun decided to forgo additional hearings related to violations that occurred between Feb. 28 through April 25, and instead settled the violations by submitting an “Admission of Violations and Waiver of Hearing” form, according to the Aug. 12 Liquor Commission meeting packet.
Through their admission, DeFrancisco and Lun agreed to take certain steps to mitigate noise at the bar, while also having to accept a six-month probation period that began on May 3 and will go through Nov. 3.
During the period of probation, the bar owners agreed that they will not cause or allow live music at Tipsy’s after 10 p.m. on Sundays through Thursdays or after 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Tipsy’s is also not allowed to have DJ performances throughout the probationary period. The bar must also not violate any part of the Village Code or the Illinois Liquor Control Act through that period.
All was seemingly going well for Tipsy’s until June 26, when DeFrancisco was once again issued a citation by a responding police officer for a complaint received regarding amplified music at the premises.
Additionally, Tipsy’s owners neglected to file Beverage Alcohol Sellers and Servers Education and Training (B.A.S.S.E.T) certifications for its employees within 90 days of opening for business, as required by section 110.32 of the Huntley Village Code.
On July 2, Tipsy’s was served with a “Notice of Violations” and was asked to appear before the Liquor Commission on July 8, however, DeFrancisco’s and Lun’s legal counsel requested to continue the hearing on Aug. 12, which was accepted by the commission members.
Following an executive session to discuss evidence and testimony at the Aug. 12 Liquor Commission hearing, Tim Hoeft, Huntley’s mayor and chairman of the Liquor Commission, stated that the commission had come to an alternative agreement for an “Admission of Violations and Waiver of Hearing.”
“Tipsy’s Bar and Pizza LLC has submitted to the commission, a signed Admission of Violations and Waiver of Hearing with proposed terms for settlement of alleged violations,” Hoeft said.
The present commission members unanimously voted to accept the signed admission of violations form submitted by the bar’s owners.
This marks yet another victory for the local bar, which seems to have the support of various residents.
“We were there [a few weeks ago]. Music was loud so we tested it for fun. Went outside, walked around to the back, couldn’t hear anything at any part of the building. It’s a witch hunt for sure,” said Huntley resident Ali Davies.
“[I] live directly across the street in a house. Never hear anything at all. [Tipsy’s has] good food,” said another resident Daniel Mandernack.
Had the Liquor Commission found Tipsy’s to be in violation of the provisions of their signed agreement, the bar could have faced a fine of $2,500, suspension of their liquor license for seven days and could be subject to further and additional penalties as provided by law.
Since Tipsy’s is still under a probation period, they do still have to follow the rules set forth by their initial “Admission of Violations and Waiver of Hearing” form.
