(235 ILCS 5/9-9) (from Ch. 43, par. 173.1)

Sec. 9-9. The status of an annexed area or disconnected area, relative to the sale at retail of alcoholic liquor pursuant to Section 9-8, shall remain the same until changed in accordance with the following provisions:

(a) Upon the filing, in the office of the clerk of the political subdivision or precinct of which the annexed area or disconnected area becomes a part, of a petition directed to such clerk, containing the signatures of not less than 25% of the legal voters residing in such annexed or disconnected area, to submit to the voters thereof the proposition to continue its current status, the clerk shall certify that proposition to the proper election officials, who shall submit the proposition to the voters of the annexed or disconnected area at an election in accordance with the general election law. The petition shall be supported by an affidavit made by one or more of the petitioners and stating that the signatures represent not less than 25% of the legal voters residing in the annexed or disconnected area. The provisions in Sections 9-1, 9-2, 9-4, 9-5, 9-6 and 9-7 shall apply except where they conflict with this Section, in which event the provisions of this Section shall control. If a majority of the voters voting upon such proposition in any such annexed or disconnected area vote "NO", the current status shall cease in that area; or

(b) Upon the filing in the office of the clerk of the political subdivision of which the annexed area or disconnected area becomes a part of a petition directed to such clerk containing the signatures of not less than 66 2/3% of all the legal voters residing in the annexed or disconnected area to change the status in that annexed or disconnected area relative to the sale at retail of alcoholic liquor by either:

(1) discontinuing any existing prohibition, or

(2) prohibiting the sale at retail of alcoholic liquor, or

(3) prohibiting the sale at retail of alcoholic liquor other than beer containing not more than 4% of alcohol by weight, or

(4) prohibiting the sale at retail of alcoholic liquor containing more than 4% of alcohol by weight except in the original package and not for consumption on the premises, the requirements for an election in subsection (a) above shall be waived.

The requirement of Section 9-4 regarding verification of a petition shall apply to this petition. Thirty days following the filing of such petition, the requested status, as specified in such petition, shall become effective in the annexed or disconnected area, unless within the 30 day period, written verified objections by a voter residing in the annexed or disconnected area are filed with the clerk. The objections shall be limited to an attack upon the validity of the petition and its execution. In such event, the clerk shall forthwith submit to the Circuit Court for the county in which the area is located, the petition and objections thereto. A hearing shall be held thereon within 30 days after the petition and objections are filed with the court. If the court finds that the petition is valid and properly executed, the court shall enter an order finding that the petition is valid. Thereupon, the requested status shall be effective. If the court finds that the petition is not valid, the petition shall be dismissed.

(c) A vote under subsection (a) above or the filing of a valid petition under subsection (b) above shall bar further proceedings under this Section for 47 months thereafter.

(Source: P.A. 82-783.)