Clark County Amends Liquor Ordinance, Keeps Sunday Morning Sales Ban

Article Summary: The Clark County Board approved changes to its liquor ordinance, extending closing times to midnight and increasing violation penalties, but ultimately rejected a proposal to allow Sunday morning alcohol sales. After a split vote on an initial proposal, the board passed a revised amendment that keeps the start time for Sunday sales at noon.

Clark County Liquor Ordinance Key Points:

• The board amended its ordinance to change the closing time for establishments from 11:30 p.m. to midnight.

• Penalties for violations were increased from $500 to $1,000, and the annual license fee was raised from $500 to $750.

• A proposal to allow Sunday liquor sales before noon was defeated after discussion and a split vote.

• A final, successful motion kept the start of Sunday sales at noon.

MARSHALL, IL – After a lengthy discussion and a divided vote, the Clark County Board on Friday, August 15, 2025, approved several changes to its liquor ordinance but decided against allowing Sunday morning alcohol sales.

State’s Attorney Kyle Hutson presented the proposed amendments, which included extending the closing time for establishments from 11:30 p.m. to midnight, removing the ban on Sunday liquor sales before noon, increasing the penalty for violations to $1,000, and raising the annual license fee to $750.

An initial motion was made to approve the ordinance as written. However, this sparked further debate, and the motion was ultimately decided by a poll of the members, with Chairman Rex Goble and members Jim Bolin and Mike Parsons voting no, while members Randal Stephens and Brandon Burkybile voted yes. The motion failed to pass in its original form.

Following the vote, the board continued its discussion, leading to a compromise. A new motion was made by Mike Parsons and seconded by Jim Bolin to amend the liquor ordinance with all the proposed changes except for the Sunday morning sales provision. The revised ordinance keeps the start time for Sunday liquor sales at noon.

This second motion passed, with Randal Stephens casting the only “nay” vote. The approved changes will now go into effect, providing later hours for local bars and restaurants while increasing the financial penalties for non-compliance.