By mayoral decree, Bears fans can start drinking earlier Sunday at bars in Lyons.
The Bears play Jacksonville in London and the kickoff will be at 8:30 a.m. Chicago time Sunday.
Usually, Lyons bars can’t open until 10 a.m. on Sunday. But they will be allowed to open and start serving at 7 a.m.
With the game’s early start in mind – and knowing Bears fans like their beer, a Bloody Mary and other beverages – Mayor Christopher Getty on Tuesday sent this letter to the owners of eight bars in the village:
Dear Owner/Operator,
This Sunday, October 13th, the Chicago Bears will play in London, England, with kickoff starting at 8:30 a.m. CST. Due to this momentous occasion and unique start time, I am authorizing all Class A Liquor License holders the option to open their establishments on October 13th at 7 a.m.
Thank you,
Christopher Getty
Mayor
Local Liquor Commissioner
On Tuesday evening, at the Township of Lyons board meeting, Getty, the township supervisor, said it was simply the right thing to do with the earlier kickoff.
Most Bears games start at noon.
He noted that long ago, taverns and bars were not allowed to serve alcoholic beverages until noon, which made it difficult for fans when there was a noon kickoff.
That changed years ago when the revised liquor license allowed service to start at 10 a.m. on Sundays, two hours before a noon kickoff.
Getty said this is a one-day event, and that the 10 a.m. start time would return the following Sunday, Oct. 20.
Hey, maybe the Bears will hit Lyons for a few libations. After all, they don’t play Oct. 20, as it is their bye week.