As a seller of alcohol, you have an important job. You are expected to balance the needs of your customers with the expectations of your managers and the requirements of the law. That is a lot to do!
BASSET can help you! BASSET stands for Beverage Alcohol Sellers and Servers Education and Training, a program used by the State of Illinois for responsible beverage seller/server training.
The BASSET program trains and educates you for responsible alcohol sales including spotting signs of intoxication, utilizing various intervention techniques, preventing DUI and alcohol-related deaths, and stopping underage sales and drinking. This allows for safer communities and alcohol establishments. The program also educates owners, managers, and staff on dram shop insurance, state laws, and local ordinances that pertain to the service of alcoholic beverages. This course is designed to build on your existing skills as a seller of alcoholic beverages to prevent intoxication, drunk driving, and underage drinking. You will learn strategies and skills that can help you balance providing excellent customer service with ensuring only legal alcohol sales.
Upon successfully completing BASSET, you will be issued a BASSET certificate by your training provider. The Illinois Liquor Control Commission approves BASSET training programs but does not issue individual certificates. BASSET certification is valid for three years and must be renewed through an approved BASSET training provider at the time of expiration.
Licensees, please be reminded of this information below about the new Illinois Liquor Control & Compliance Portal.
Beginning in 2026, the Illinois Liquor Control Commission is transitioning to a paperless compliance system, with licenses, renewals, and official communications handled through an online portal. Stay up to date on the latest news and events about the new Illinois Liquor Control & Compliance Portal launch, here.
In this course you will learn:
- The definition of Blood Alcohol Content (BAC)
- How BAC levels relate to body weight, gender, and the amount of alcohol consumed per hour
- About alcoholism
- The effects of alcohol and drugs on driving performance
- Recognize signs of an opioid overdose and alcohol's role in overdose risk
- Describe when and how naloxone (Narcan) should be used in an overdose emergency
- How to assure customer safety
- Common warning signs of human trafficking and describe appropriate steps for reporting concerns
- Visual and behavior clues to help you recognize potential problems
- How to refuse service
- About designated driver programs
- Alternative, non-alcoholic beverages
- Ways to maintain a professional demeanor
- Laws pertaining to the sale of alcohol and the penalties they carry
- Explain how Illinois law regulates alcohol sales for delivery, carryout, and cocktails-to-go
- Identify co-branded or crossover alcohol products and explain the basic placement and signage requirements that apply to their sale in Illinois
- The differences between civil and criminal charges
- Illinois DUI laws and associated penalties
- Secretary of States procedures to ensure security of driver’s licenses and state ID cards
- Other acceptable forms of identification including Mobile IDs
- Enhanced identification techniques
- How to properly utilize municipal support services (police, fire, and paramedics)
- What is vicarious and third-party liability
- State insurance requirements
- Legal terms used in litigation
- Procedures for protection against possible litigation
The course is broken down into five main areas:
- Physical properties of alcohol, drugs, and alcoholism
- Prevention and intervention techniques
- Illinois state statutes, local ordinances, and DUI laws
- Proper identification techniques, police policies, and expectations
- Dram shop liabilities, insurance, and victims rights
You will also be given a pre-test and a post-test to assess your increase in knowledge in the curriculum areas.
