Illinois is a state where alcohol laws can be confusing because the state sets some rules, but local governments control most of the details. That means alcohol sale hours in Chicago may not be the same as those in Springfield, Peoria, or smaller suburban towns. Whether you’re buying drinks for a night out, planning a party, or simply visiting the state, it’s helpful to know what time do they stop selling alcohol in Illinois?
Lets understand the statewide laws and major city variations.
Statewide Alcohol Sale Regulations
Illinois does not impose strict statewide sale hours. Instead, the state gives cities, villages, and counties the authority to set their own rules.
However, the general statewide guidelines allow alcohol sales:
- Between 6:00 a.m. and 2:00 a.m.
Local governments can shorten or extend these hours, but they cannot approve sales later than:
- 3:00 a.m. on weekdays
- 4:00 a.m. on Saturdays (into Sunday morning)
These extended hours only apply to businesses with special late-night licenses.
Retail Stores (Beer, Wine, and Liquor)
Alcohol in Illinois can be sold at:
- Grocery stores
- Convenience stores
- Gas stations
- Liquor stores
- Big-box retailers
Exact sale hours depend on the municipality, but here are typical retail sale windows:
- Most towns: 6:00 a.m. to 1:00 or 2:00 a.m.
- Some suburbs: 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
- Rural areas: May require earlier closing times
Stores cannot sell alcohol after their local cutoff time, even self-checkout registers are disabled for alcohol purchases.
Chicago Alcohol Sale Hours
Chicago has some of the most flexible alcohol laws in the state.
Retail Stores (Chicago)
- Liquor stores: 7:00 a.m. to Midnight (Mon–Sat)
- Sunday sales: 7:00 a.m. to Midnight
Grocery stores may open alcohol sales at 6:00 a.m.
Bars and Restaurants (Chicago)
- Standard hours: Serve alcohol until 2:00 a.m.
- Late-hour license: Serve until 4:00 a.m. (and until 5:00 a.m. on Saturday night/Sunday morning)
Not all neighborhoods allow late-hour permits due to community regulations.
Bars and Restaurants Across Illinois
Most Illinois communities allow bars and restaurants to serve alcohol until:
- 1:00 a.m. or 2:00 a.m.
Some towns may close earlier, around 11:00 p.m. or midnight.
Larger cities—Peoria, Champaign, Springfield, and Rockford—often allow service until 2:00 a.m.
“Last call” typically happens 20–30 minutes before the legal cutoff.
Sunday Alcohol Sales
Illinois once had stricter Sunday rules, but most jurisdictions have repealed them. Today:
- Sunday alcohol sales generally follow the same hours as other days
- Some towns begin Sunday sales at 10:00 a.m. instead of 6:00–7:00 a.m.
Holiday Alcohol Sales
Illinois does not ban alcohol sales on major holidays.
Whether stores open on days like Christmas or Thanksgiving depends on:
- Store policies
- Local business operating rules
Bars may open on holidays unless their license or local law says otherwise.
Why Local Rules Matter
Illinois is one of the most locally-controlled alcohol states in the U.S. This means sale hours can change block-to-block—especially in the Chicago suburbs. Whether you’re a resident or a visitor, checking local regulations can save you from last-minute surprises.
