Burke moves to ban powdered “alcohol-on-the-go” in Chicago

Freeze-dried liquor — sold in packets and billed as “alcohol-on-the-go” — would be banned in Chicago under a crackdown proposed Wednesday by the City Council’s most powerful alderman.

Just as the federal government moves to allow the powdery product known as “Palcohol,” Finance Committee Chairman Edward Burke (14th) wants to prohibit sale of the controversial and, he believes, dangerous product in Chicago.

At Wednesday’s City Council meeting, Burke introduced an ordinance that states: “No business shall possess, sell, offer for sale, give away, barter, exchange or otherwise furnish . . . any powdered alcohol” within the city limits. Nor could licensed Chicago businesses “engage in any act of concealment of” powdered alcohol.

Violators would face fines ranging from $2,000 to $5,000 for each offense.

Burke noted that each packet of “alcohol-on-the-go” contains the equivalent of a shot of liquor and is intended to be mixed with water.

“The possibilities for abuse concerning this product are seemingly endless,” Burke was quoted as saying in a press release.

“This product is so light and transportable that it could be slipped into a child’s pocket and brought to school. It could also be easily put in someone’s food or beverage without their knowledge.”