MORTON -- After weeks of heated debate, grocery stores in Morton will now be able to sell wine and beer.

    During the Monday night board meeting, Village Trustee Jeff Kaufman made a motion to put the idea on the ballot for November.

    He said the village should leave it up to the people, and not rush into things

    The Mayor shot that down with a tie-breaking vote.

    In the end, the vote was 4 to 3 to allow grocery stores to sell beer and wine from 10 am to 10pm Monday through Saturday.

    Sundays from Noon to 10 pm.

     Mayor Norm Durflinger first proposed the idea as a way to bring in more revenue for the village.

    But some resident said more alcohol choices means more accidents, and even possible deaths.

    One woman said during the meeting, whatever is made in taxes would not compare to what will be spent in damages, police calls and other alcohol related incidents.

    Morton resident Jim Welsh said it is about giving the consumer choice.

    "I have nothing against Morton businesses, but if my wife wants a bottle of wine, why should she have to drive to East Peoria?" Welsh said. "She is a bargain hunter."

    Sam Hirstein said this ordinance was passed too quickly.

"It should have been polled openly, people should have had a chance to talk about it," Hirstein said. "This thing was ramrodded right down our necks."

    Though the ordinance goes into effect immediatly, this does not mean grocery store can start selling beer or wine tomorrow.

    They still need to apply for a liquor licence with the village.