Operation Sticker Shock Aimed at Adults Who Buy Booze for Kids

Plainfield Mayor Michael Collins is hoping a little sticker shock is what's needed to remind stores and consumers that underage drinking is against the law.

Collins, who also serves as the village's liquor commissioner, will join several high school seniors Wednesday in visiting a half dozen businesses that sell alcohol and affixing "warning stickers" to products that carry messages about the consequences of supplying alcohol to minors, according to a release issued by Plainfield police Officer Mark Siegel.

Studies have shown that most underage drinkers obtain alcohol through an adult purchaseing it for them, Siegel said.

The effort, part of the statewide Operation Sticker Shock campaign, comes just one month after 11 Plainfield businesses were cited in a police sting for selling alcohol to two 18-year-olds.

Two of those businesses -- T-Birds Liquor at 15420 S. Route 59 and Route 30 Wine & Liquor at 14210 S. Route 59 -- are voluntarily participating in the sticker shock program. The others are Discount Liquors, Palomar Liquor, Plainfield Liquor and Tobacco and Osco Drug Store.

In addition to placing stickers on products, decals will be placed on the stores' doors and windows explaining the program and raising public awareness, Siegel said in his release.