Will County sheriff confirms investigation into Homer Fest liquor license application
By Michelle Mullins
Daily Southtown
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Jun 27, 2022 at 4:07 pm
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The four-day Homer Fest ended Sunday, but an investigation into allegations that someone signed the mayor’s initials on a state liquor license application without his permission is ongoing.
The Will County sheriff’s office confirmed it is investigating a report filed by Homer Glen Mayor George Yukich, who alleged that someone signed his initials to an official document, spokeswoman Kathy Hoffmeyer said in an email. The sheriff’s office investigations division is assigned to the case.
The sheriff’s office denied a Freedom of Information Act Request to view the police report, citing it is an “open and active investigation” and releasing more information “could jeopardize the integrity of the investigative process.”
Several Homer Glen village board members said at a special meeting June 17 they were in full support of an investigation into the allegations.
Yukich said that just over a week before the fest, he was reviewing all the paperwork when he noticed the state liquor license application already had been signed in the box designated for the liquor commissioner’s event approval. The mayor also serves as the liquor commissioner.
Yukich said his signature is sloppy whereas the unknown signature was “loopy.” He knew that he hadn’t signed the application because he was interested in getting fencing around the beer garden area as it had been at previous festivals.
The village was able to secure a new state liquor license a week before the festival began. The license did not require any special additional fencing around the beer area, and the fest went on as scheduled.
The state license issue was rectified before the event, ending the Illinois Liquor Control Commission’s involvement in this situation, Nicole Sanders, the liquor commission’s industry education manager, said in an email.
Yukich said he hopes someone will step up and admit that he or she just messed up. But when asked if he would press charges, the mayor said “I don’t know.”
He said “it’s a guessing game” as to who or why someone would sign a document that they aren’t authorized to sign.
Yukich said he likes to review all documents and sign them himself with a “buck stops here” mentality. He estimated he signed 15,000 documents including liquor, tobacco and food licenses as well as bills. Anything for him to sign is put in a folder.
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“I don’t believe in a stamp,” Yukich said. “I like looking at everything, knowing we aren’t spending money we shouldn’t. If I’m signing a check, I’m responsible.”
Yukich said he is concerned that his name could be used without permission on other documents.
“If they could do this to a state liquor license, they could do this to something else,” he said. “If it happens once, why wouldn’t it happen twice?”
Trustee Jennifer Consolino said July 17 she supported an investigation, but also wanted to look at what the village’s regular procedure is for such paperwork.
“We’re going to figure out what does the process need to be because apparently we don’t have a policy and you know I love making policies,” Consolino said. “What is the protocol for this stuff getting signed off on?”
The village receives a special events license for not for profit organizations from the state, which is required by municipalities. The beer vendor the village purchases alcohol from requires the state license. The state license must be framed and displayed on premises.
Michelle Mullins is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
