October 27, 2025 • 4 mins
A popular option at Illinois restaurants could become permanent as part of a bill sponsored by State Senator Cristina Castro to support small businesses. Plus, State Senator Elgie Sims, Jr. reacts to another bond rating upgrade received by the state. Those stories, and more, are in this edition of The Majority Report.
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Speaker 1 (00:02):
With this week's Majority Report, part of the Sound of
the State podcast series from the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus.
I'm Colby Hoff. State Senator Christina castro let A measured
through the Senate that would make a temporary cocktails to
Go state law permanent and create new laws to allow
more small Illinois distilleries to self distribute spirits. Senator castro
of Belgium set in part by giving bars, restaurants, and
(00:23):
craft distilleries the ability to grow and reach more customers.
For supporting small, independent producers and retailers across Illinois, we
should be making it easier, not harder, to operate and
grow a business in our state. The measure would create
a Class three craft distiller's license, which would allow the
distillery to manufacture up to one hundred thousand gallons of
spirits annually. These licensees would then be able to apply
(00:44):
for the ability to self distribute up to twenty five
hundred gallons annually. The legislation would also make permanent a
temporary law permitting bars and restaurants to sell cocktails and
mixed drinks for delivery and curb side pickup, often referred
to as cocktails to Go to ease barriers for small
businesses seeking a liquor license. The measure would also eliminate
the requirement for a business applying for a liquor license
(01:04):
to provide a tax bond during the application process. On average,
a tax bond costs small craft manufacturers or distributors five
hundred dollars to obtain from a financial institution, creating another
monetary barrier for those seeking to start or expand their business.
Senate Bill six eighteen recently passed the Senate with bipartisan support.
For the tenth time in less than five years, Illinois
(01:26):
has seen another improved bond rating. Moody's Investors Service, one
of the nation's major rating agencies, announced upgrades last week
thanks to the fiscally responsible decisions made by state Democrats.
State Senator L. G. Sims Junior, the Senate Appropriation's Committee
Chair and Majority Caucus Appropriations Leader, released the following statement
quote the tenth rating upgrade is yet another sign the
(01:48):
years of fiscal discipline and responsibility from the General Assembly
is paying off. In recent years, we've been able to
put money back in the pockets of the state's hardworking families,
provide funding for people who need the most help and
pay down the st state's bill backlog, all while dealing
with economic uncertainty created by a hostile federal government. Illinois
is a standout state when it comes to putting the
needs of our residents first, and we do so in
(02:09):
a responsible and equitable way. Moody's upgrade shows our fiscally
responsible budgeting approaches working and is independent proof that our
state is headed in the right direction. A rating upgrade
isn't just something we get to tout. It's something that
saves our taxpayers millions of dollars. State Senator Laura Murphy
recently received the twenty twenty five Legislator of the Year
Award from the Metropolitan Township Association in recognition for her
(02:33):
leadership and commitment to achieving community driven progress. Senator Murphy
of Displanes Set in part. Throughout my career, I have
worked closely with the townships and have seen the essential
role they play in addressing the specialized needs of their residents.
I'm humbled to have received this award and will continue
to support townships and the work they do to ensure
residents in their community receive these services they need. Senator
(02:54):
Murphy has a consistent history of supporting community government in
the state. In twenty twenty four, she worked to protect
ownships in Illinois from being dissolved and defended the rights
of Illinois townships to govern their residents. In recent years,
she also passed Senate Bill seventeen ninety four to hold
utility companies accountable for reporting and paying accurate sales data
to municipalities. Additionally, she has supported legislation to increase opportunities
(03:16):
for townships to file property tax appeals. Senator Murphy continues,
I am proud of the work we have accomplished so
far and will continue to advocate for our local governments
to receive the resources they need to support their community.
For more on the stories you just heard and others,
visit Illinois Senate Democrats dot com and subscribe to our
(03:37):
weekly Majority Report newsletter. You can listen to the Sound
of the State podcast series, as well as our Spanish version,
Estado della Stado with Carlos Mendez, featuring regular updates and
in depth conversations with our senators on your choice of
platforms including the iHeartRadio app, Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Pandora,
and more. From the Springfield Office, of Senate to President
(03:59):
Don hag Arman, I'm coldbee Hoff
With this week's Majority Report, part of the Sound of
the State podcast series from the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus.
I'm Colby Hoff. State Senator Christina castro let A measured
through the Senate that would make a temporary cocktails to
Go state law permanent and create new laws to allow
more small Illinois distilleries to self distribute spirits. Senator castro
of Belgium set in part by giving bars, restaurants, and
(00:23):
craft distilleries the ability to grow and reach more customers.
For supporting small, independent producers and retailers across Illinois, we
should be making it easier, not harder, to operate and
grow a business in our state. The measure would create
a Class three craft distiller's license, which would allow the
distillery to manufacture up to one hundred thousand gallons of
spirits annually. These licensees would then be able to apply
(00:44):
for the ability to self distribute up to twenty five
hundred gallons annually. The legislation would also make permanent a
temporary law permitting bars and restaurants to sell cocktails and
mixed drinks for delivery and curb side pickup, often referred
to as cocktails to Go to ease barriers for small
businesses seeking a liquor license. The measure would also eliminate
the requirement for a business applying for a liquor license
(01:04):
to provide a tax bond during the application process. On average,
a tax bond costs small craft manufacturers or distributors five
hundred dollars to obtain from a financial institution, creating another
monetary barrier for those seeking to start or expand their business.
Senate Bill six eighteen recently passed the Senate with bipartisan support.
For the tenth time in less than five years, Illinois
(01:26):
has seen another improved bond rating. Moody's Investors Service, one
of the nation's major rating agencies, announced upgrades last week
thanks to the fiscally responsible decisions made by state Democrats.
State Senator L. G. Sims Junior, the Senate Appropriation's Committee
Chair and Majority Caucus Appropriations Leader, released the following statement
quote the tenth rating upgrade is yet another sign the
(01:48):
years of fiscal discipline and responsibility from the General Assembly
is paying off. In recent years, we've been able to
put money back in the pockets of the state's hardworking families,
provide funding for people who need the most help and
pay down the st state's bill backlog, all while dealing
with economic uncertainty created by a hostile federal government. Illinois
is a standout state when it comes to putting the
needs of our residents first, and we do so in
(02:09):
a responsible and equitable way. Moody's upgrade shows our fiscally
responsible budgeting approaches working and is independent proof that our
state is headed in the right direction. A rating upgrade
isn't just something we get to tout. It's something that
saves our taxpayers millions of dollars. State Senator Laura Murphy
recently received the twenty twenty five Legislator of the Year
Award from the Metropolitan Township Association in recognition for her
(02:33):
leadership and commitment to achieving community driven progress. Senator Murphy
of Displanes Set in part. Throughout my career, I have
worked closely with the townships and have seen the essential
role they play in addressing the specialized needs of their residents.
I'm humbled to have received this award and will continue
to support townships and the work they do to ensure
residents in their community receive these services they need. Senator
(02:54):
Murphy has a consistent history of supporting community government in
the state. In twenty twenty four, she worked to protect
ownships in Illinois from being dissolved and defended the rights
of Illinois townships to govern their residents. In recent years,
she also passed Senate Bill seventeen ninety four to hold
utility companies accountable for reporting and paying accurate sales data
to municipalities. Additionally, she has supported legislation to increase opportunities
(03:16):
for townships to file property tax appeals. Senator Murphy continues,
I am proud of the work we have accomplished so
far and will continue to advocate for our local governments
to receive the resources they need to support their community.
For more on the stories you just heard and others,
visit Illinois Senate Democrats dot com and subscribe to our
(03:37):
weekly Majority Report newsletter. You can listen to the Sound
of the State podcast series, as well as our Spanish version,
Estado della Stado with Carlos Mendez, featuring regular updates and
in depth conversations with our senators on your choice of
platforms including the iHeartRadio app, Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Pandora,
and more. From the Springfield Office, of Senate to President
(03:59):
Don hag Arman, I'm coldbee Hoff
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