Wine & Spirits Distributors

The Wine & Spirits Distributors of Illinois organization is associated with the Illinois Wholesalers Association PAC (IWAPAC) and is located in Chicago. State law forbids producers of wine and spirits to distribute their products directly to retailers, or to the public; members of the Wine & Spirits Distributors of Illinois are the wholesalers who buy from producers and sell to retailers. The association was a strong proponent of the 1999 Wine and Spirits Fair Dealing Act, also called the Wirtz Bill, which required makers of wine and spirits to give distributors one-year-notice prior to canceling sales agreements. The Act was declared unconstitutional, and was later repealed. Alcohol distribution laws are still hotly contested within Illinois.

The Wine & Spirits Distributors of Illinois is a career patron of House Republican Leader Tom Cross (R).

From January 1, 1993 through June 30, 2004, the Wine and Spirits Distributors of Illinois contributed $958,000 to candidates for Illinois statewide constitutional and legislative office, 57% of it to Democrats.

Last revised June 2011.