The sponsor of legislation to protect the interest of the little guys in the craft brewing world is sitting down with the “big guys” this afternoon.
Illinois state Sen. Donne Trotter, D-Chicago, said he will meet with representatives of Anheuser-Busch and proponents of small brewers to discuss the “nuances” of a bill he is sponsoring in the state Senate.
Trotter made the comment minutes after a committee meeting in which he asked the Senate to hold action on a bill to ensure small brewers in Illinois can get their beers in the hands and homes of consumers without violating the state’s liquor laws. The legislation was crafted in response to a federal judge’s ruling against the Illinois Liquor Commission in a suit brought by Anheuser-Busch.
“When two giants fight, it’s just the grass that gets trampled,” Trotter said. “And I’m trying to prevent the grass getting trampled.”