Evanston police say they are cracking down harder on fake IDs this year, prompted by complaints about underage drinking from residents and students' parents.
Earlier this month, nine people were cited at The Keg of Evanston, 810 Grove Street, when they tried to use fake IDs to enter the bar, said Chief Frank Kaminski of Evanston Police Department.
All the people cited were either 19 or 20 years old and were stopped by plainclothes police officers at the door, Kaminski said.
Police sent the tickets to the Illinois Secretary of State's office. Residents of other states who were caught at the Keg had their information forwarded to their home states' agencies to determine punishment, Kaminski said.
Kaminski said that information about citations for possession of a fake ID would be passed along to university administration.
"I would really like to get the message out to the Northwestern kids: Don't try it," he said.
The crackdown is part of Project 21, an Illinois state program aimed at reducing underage drinking by educating retailers and strengthening enforcement of liquor laws.
Initiated in 2001, Project 21 is a collaboration between the Illinois Liquor Control Commission, the Illinois Secretary of State's Office, and state and local law enforcement. The program began after an liquor control commission survey of underage students in Illinois' largest college towns found that 65 percent of the students had at least one alcoholic drink in past 30 days.
Evanston police have been working to curtail fake ID use "for a couple of years, and we will continue," said Cmdr. Michael Perry of EPD.
EPD's managers and supervisors have been trained by the state on how to spot a fake ID. By November all officers will be trained. A separate session was held for alcohol vendors, including the Keg; Prairie Moon, 1502 Sherman Ave.; 1800 Club, 1800 Sherman Ave.; Bar Louie, 1520 Sherman Ave.; and Tommy Nevin's Pub and Restaurant, 1450 Sherman Ave.
Perry said police will be carrying out sting operations at local bars throughout the year.
"It's not worth taking the chance, because they never know when we'll be there," he said, adding that EPD will be collaborating with University Police in its efforts.
Perry said it's important for students to know the laws on underage drinking and the consequences that could be involved.
"Our concern is with their safety and well being," Perry said.
According to state law, an Illinois resident found with "fraudulent" identification from any state could have his or her driver's license suspended for up to a year. The resident could also be convicted of a Class 4 Felony, which carries a maximum punishment of up to three years in prison and a $2,500 fine.
Even with the recent citations at the Keg and the new training, some bar managers said they haven't seen a crackdown on fake IDs.
"I haven't noticed anything more," said Lorne Ratner, manager of 1800 Club. "(Underage drinking) has always been an issue, especially on a college campus."
At 1800 Club, patrons are carded after 10 p.m. if they look like they are under the age of 30, Ratner said.
"We check to make sure the picture is the same as the person, if it's not expired, and if it's a valid form of ID," he said.
Ratner said if employees don't believe an ID is valid, then the customer is asked to leave. Bar employees generally do not call the police.
Like EPD and the liquor control commission, bars would not disclose how to tell if an ID is real.
"There are a lot of dead giveaways," said Paul White, an owner of Prairie Moon. "We know when people bring in fake IDs nine times out of 10. It's not a big secret."
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