Illinois Lawmaker Proposes Lowering State’s Drinking Age

Of all the laws in the world, few argue about the legal drinking age being 21. Unless you're between the ages of 18-20, you probably don't balk at the drinking age being 21, even if it is a little random and questionable seeing as at age 18 you could enlist in the army.

Regardless, an Illinois lawmaker is campaigning to lower the drinking age, and while it might delight those still in high school and/or early college, it comes with a caveat you could fittingly call... a buzzkill.

Illinois State Rep. John Cabello (R-Machesney Park) proposed legislation before the end of 2024 that would permit 18-year-olds to drink alcohol. However, in order to do so, they would need to be in the presence of a parent or adult guardian. Obviously, the state's current legal drinking age is 21.

Brief story-time: when I was in college (still under 21), my dad and I would semi-regularly take trips to Wisconsin. A benefit for him was that he was able to drink at the bar with me, for in Illinois, a person under 21 cannot legally sit at the bar.

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It's also true that in Wisconsin that some bars will allow a person under 21 to consume alcohol in the presence of a parent or adult guardian. I remember talking to a Wisconsin bar-owner about this when I was under 21. His establishment didn't allow it, and he said many in the state don't because doing so skyrockets your liability insurance. Furthermore, it gives law enforcement greater reason to keep an eye on your establishment.

Rep. Cabello, who serves as the Assistant Minority Leader in the Illinois House, argues that 18-year-olds are contributing members of society. He also says decreasing the legal drinking age would boost the state's economic activity:

Many 18-year-olds are already contributing members of society, working full-time jobs, attending college, and serving – and in some cases dying for – our country in the military. By lowering the drinking age, we are acknowledging their maturity and ability to make responsible decisions, just as we do in other aspects of their lives - Illinois State Rep. John Cabello, per a news release

Arguing to amend the Liquor Control Act of 1934, Rep. Cabello stated the move would bring more families out to eat at restaurants. He also said the law would encourage responsible drinking habits and combat dangerous binge-drinking habits.

All of this is difficult to prove, and ultimately, in my opinion, a greater risk given the fact that an 18-year-old has only been driving a vehicle for two years. That enhances the risk for drunk driving, which will be the chief argument against Rep. Cabello's plan.

Read more about the proposition to lower the state of Illinois' drinking age to 18-years-old on The State Journal-Register's website.