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As of July 1, 2018, the Illinois Liquor Control Commission requires all on-premise alcohol servers to complete seller-server training to earn their BASSET certification. This includes employees who work at bars, restaurants and other establishments where alcohol is purchased and consumed on-site.

Employees of liquor stores, convenience stores or other retail stores where customers are not permitted to consume alcohol on-site are often required by their employer or local municipality to complete off-premise BASSET training. Your employer can answer any questions about specific training requirements for your job.

Both on-premise and off-premise BASSET certifications are designed to save lives, ensure compliance with state alcohol laws and prevent violations of the Illinois Liquor Control Act that can result in fines and other penalties.

The state of Illinois requires employees of on-premise alcohol establishments to complete BASSET certification training. The Illinois Liquor Control Commission mandates that you earn an Illinois BASSET certification if you work at any location where alcohol is served by the drink for on-site consumption.

Workers who need on-premise BASSET may include:

• Bartenders
• Barbacks
• Servers
• Waiters
• Managers
• Hospitality workers

In addition to your initial Illinois BASSET training, the state requires you to complete recertification training every three years.

Employees at off-premise retail establishments, such as liquor stores, grocery stores and gas stations, are often required to complete Illinois BASSET training. Certification may be legally required by your local jurisdiction, or your employer may require it before you start work.

If you work at any establishment that sells alcohol to be consumed off-site, you should earn an off-premise BASSET certification to learn best practices for safe and responsible alcohol sales. Be sure to ask your employer about specific training requirements for your role.

The cocktails-to-go law is the common name for Section 6-28.8 of the Illinois Liquor Control Act. It permits certain establishments like restaurants and bars to offer carry-out or delivery service for mixed drinks and single servings of wine.

Servers who are employed by a qualified, licensed retailer can provide curbside or delivery service to patrons who are at least 21 years of age and not intoxicated. Servers must also be 21 years or older and hold a current BASSET certification.

Only direct employees of bars and restaurants can deliver alcoholic mixed beverages under the cocktails-to-go law. Third-party drivers (such as food delivery service workers) cannot deliver to-go cocktails.

The law was originally slated to expire on January 3, 2024. However, a recent extension under Public Act 103-0004 extended mixed drink delivery service to August 1, 2028.

Yes. All Illinois workers classified as food handlers must complete ANAB-accredited food handler training. Food handlers are employees who work with unpackaged food, food equipment or utensils, or food contact surfaces.

Some individuals are exempt from food handler training, including unpaid volunteers and individuals with a valid Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) certification. You can learn more about training requirements for specific roles on the Illinois Department of Public Health website.

All Illinois food handlers are required to complete ANAB-accredited food handler training and hold a valid food handler certificate.

This includes:

• Restaurant workers
• Kitchen employees
• Cooks
• Prep cooks
• Chefs

• Hosts and hostesses
• Grocery store employees
• Deli workers
• Mobile food stand employees
• And more

Your certificate from the ANAB-accredited food handler course will remain valid for three years after the issue date. The certificate will be valid throughout the state of Illinois unless an employer has a state-approved internal training program. Once your certificate has expired, you will need to retake the course.