Can Eighteen Year Olds Drink In Chicago?
Turning eighteen is a big deal since it marks the beginning of adulthood. Voting, signing legal documents, and even getting a tattoo are all possible without parental consent. Alcohol, however, is exempt from this rule. In Chicago, just like the entire state of Illinois, the age of legal drinking is 21 years. So many 18-year-olds just keep wondering if there are any exemptions in such conditions to drink or not. In order not to have lawsuits over underage drinking at private parties, restaurants, and homes, Chicago has some laws against such acts.
Why The Legal Drinking Age In Chicago Is 21 And Not 18 And How It Affects Young Adults
Chicago's minimum drinking age is, predictably, based on federal law that sets a national minimum-age drinking policy—at least 21. The rationale behind this rule is to encourage responsible alcohol use and lower the frequency of drunk driving accidents. This means that an 18-year-old will not be able to legally purchase alcohol from a store or order from a bar for another three years. This does not, however, give a young adult an excuse to discover a way to get alcohol. It includes going to private events and drinking at home with consent from parents or guardians.
Are There Any Exceptions That Allow 18-Year-Olds To Drink Alcohol In Chicago?
Some states have exemptions included under the drinking age law. However, Illinois prohibits them all. In the vast majority of cases, an 18-year-old cannot even get a drink when their parents are present. This is distinct from many states where underage drinking may be permitted in private homes, such as your grandparents' house. This means that even though a parent permits an 18-year-old to drink at home, it remains illegal under state law. There are only very limited exceptions based on religious ceremonies or medical treatment that require the administration of alcohol.
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Religious Ceremonies And Situations Where 18-Year-Olds Can Legally Consume Alcohol
Religious ceremonies are one of the few exceptions to Illinois' strict alcohol laws. An 18-year-old is permitted to legally consume alcohol if it is served during a religious ceremony. This typically pertains to wine used in communion and other religious rituals. However, this exception does not extend to casual drinking outside of religious events. Aside from that, doctors occasionally prescribe alcohol as a form of treatment, but young adults hardly ever experience this.
Parental Supervision And Drinking At Home In Private Settings For 18-Year-Olds
Other assumptions that people make include: if mom and dad allow their 18-year-old to drink at home, it must be legal. Not true. Illinois law does not recognize this as a valid exception. If an underage person is caught drinking, he or she, as well as the person who provided the alcohol, can be legally treated as offenders. Parents can be fined or even charged if they allow underage drinking at home and it leads to an incident, for example, a car accident.
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Why Chicago Bars And Restaurants Strictly Enforce The 21-Year-Old Drinking Age
If an 18-year-old attempted to buy alcohol at a bar or restaurant, they would most likely be sent away. Chicago businesses avoid breaking the city's alcohol rules since doing so could result in severe fines and penalties. Many of these establishments ask their bartenders and servers to verify the identity of anyone who looks under 30 to prevent wrong identification. Some bars have gone as far as using ID scanners to prevent fraudulent IDs from passing.
The Role Of ID Checks And How Businesses Prevent Underage Drinking In Chicago
Chicago's bars, eateries, and liquor stores rigorously verify the identification of children in order to stop underage drinking. Most establishments utilize technological scanners to confirm the validity of a license, and staff members are trained to recognize phony identification. If a child gets caught attempting to use a fraudulent ID, that child may be penalized or even face court action. Undercover investigations by state and Chicago police ensure business owners are strictly adhering to the law.
How The Legal Drinking Age Affects Social Life For Young Adults In Chicago
For 18-year-olds, drinking laws do make social life a little tough in Chicago. College students and young adults love to go out and have a good time. However, sober alternatives have to be found. Young adults have fewer choices for nightlife because many bars and clubs only allow admission to those who are over 21 years old. Still, there are still numerous things that can be done in Chicago such as music venues, outdoor events, and late-night food spots that have nothing to do with booze.
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What 18-Year-Olds Can Do For Fun In Chicago Without Breaking Drinking Laws
Chicago's 18-year-olds can still have a good time while being prohibited from drinking. There are many alcohol-free things to do in the city. The Music Box Theatre is one of the movie theaters that hosts late-night screenings for young adults. The age group of less than 21 years is allowed to enter the live music venues, comedy acts, and arcades. Outdoorsy young adults can have fun with their friends at the lakefront in Chicago, in the parks, or even watching sports.
How Hosting Private Gatherings At Home Can Still Lead To A Big Mess Afterward
Some 18-year-olds may believe that it is safest to drink in private gatherings. However, this can still cause problems. A party can get too loud or out of hand, and the police may even come and give fines or split up the party. Furthermore, cleaning up from a party is a pain in the butt, especially with drinks. Spills, stains, and trash pile up very fast, and it is very hard to get a space back to normal.
If a party or gathering makes a mess, the professional deep cleaning services will sort it out. Deep Cleaning Chicago can clean spilled drinks from stubborn stains on carpets and furniture. From small get-together parties to bigger events, saving time by hiring a deep cleaning service is best for getting that place looking as good as new again. This is one smart option for any person who wouldn't want the hassle of a post-party cleanup.
Why 18-Year-Olds In Chicago Cannot Legally Drink And What They Should Keep In Mind
Chicago has pretty straight-forward laws concerning alcohol. The 18-year-old's liquor is out of bounds in all situations, including drinking at home with parents and bars and restaurants that are vigilant about IDs. Although the restriction can be annoying at times, safety is a key justification for it. Well, Chicago still has loads of fun stuff to do with teenagers that does not involve liquor. There are plenty of fun things to do in the city without breaking the law, from comedy shows and concerts to outdoor gatherings and late-night dining.