Lake County, IL Public Conduct: Public Alcohol Use (2026)
Key Facts
- Citation
- Lake County Code § 94.13(A)
- Applies
- Unincorporated areas; some cities by agreement
- Penalty
- Up to $1,000/day under § 10.99
- Forum
- 19th Judicial Circuit Court or admin adjudication
Summary
Lake County bans public intoxication and drinking alcoholic liquor on any public way as a public nuisance under County Code § 94.13(A), enforced in unincorporated areas and municipalities under county nuisance jurisdiction.
Public intoxication. It is a public nuisance for any person to be in an intoxicated condition on any highway, street, alley, or thoroughfare or other public place. Nor shall any person drink any alcoholic liquor on any public way.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-15: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ord. 26-0618, passed 6-9-2026 | State legislation current through ILCS Pamphlet 2025 #5).
Full Breakdown
Section 94.13(A) of the Lake County Code makes it a public nuisance for anyone to be intoxicated on a highway, street, alley, thoroughfare, or other public place, and separately bars drinking any alcoholic liquor on any public way. The nuisance ordinance applies in incorporated and unincorporated Lake County according to the enforcing county department's jurisdictional or contractual authority, so day-to-day enforcement concentrates on unincorporated communities and any municipality that has contracted with the county; Waukegan, North Chicago, Highland Park, Gurnee, and Libertyville enforce their own municipal codes instead. Violations without a specific chapter penalty carry the county's general fine under § 10.99.
Violations & Fines
A public-nuisance citation may be issued through the 19th Judicial Circuit Court or county administrative adjudication, with fines up to $1,000 per day under § 10.99 absent a more specific penalty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Lake County's open-container ban apply inside Waukegan or Highland Park?
What counts as a violation under § 94.13(A)?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lake County
Compare Lake County to another location·View the Illinois public conduct overview
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