Authorities Cracking Down on Social Host Parents

By Sean Stillmaker in News on Mar 19, 2011 9:00PM

Illinois is cracking down on underage drinking by going after the parents who play host to the parties. If legislation is passed, “Social hosting” will be a Class A misdemeanor with a minimum $500 fine. It’s already a Class 4 felony if adults supply the alcohol and the minors are injured or killed .

The Illinois Supreme Court is set to hear oral arguments this week regarding a 2006 incident where two 18-year-olds died in a car crash after leaving a party drunk. The parents were in another room while the party was happening. The Deerfield parents both were sentenced to probation and the father received 14 days in jail.

Following the incident State Sen. Susan Garrett sponsored the legislation that made it a felony where adults provide and/or allow underage drinking and the minors are either injured or killed. The outcome of the court case could impact the new legislation rolling around in the state legislature that makes it a misdemeanor to be a social host.