In the News

Chicago Tribune, September 1, 2007

Gov. Rod Blagojevich signed into law Friday a measure that stiffens penalties for parents who permit teenagers to drink in their homes.

The bill was introduced by state Sen. Susan Garrett (D-Lake Forest) in February. It allows for felony charges if parents "knowingly" let underage drinking take place and someone is hurt or killed as a result.

"We have to do everything we can to educate parents and teens, but we also have to put some deterrent out there to ensure that these types of tragic accidents don't continue to happen over and over again," Garrett said.

Previous social hosting laws allowed for misdemeanor charges with penalties of as many as 364 days in jail and a fine. The new law allows penalties of 1 to 3 years in prison and a $25,000 fine.

The bill passed both houses of the General Assembly in June. It was inspired, in part, by a high-profile case in which a Deerfield High School student and a recent graduate died in a car crash after a drinking party last October.

Jeffrey and Sara Hutsell of Deerfield were convicted this summer of three misdemeanors for allowing their son to host the party; they are awaiting sentencing.

The bill gained broad support in the north suburbs, with numerous towns passing resolutions in support and police chiefs calling for it to become law.

"This isn't meant to be heavy-handed," the senator said. "The key word here is 'knowingly.' The only way parents can be subject to this is if they clearly know what's going on."