Chicago suburb to start keeping 'habitual drunkard' list

AURORA, Ill. (AP) — The police department in Illinois' second largest city is going to start compiling a "habitual drunkard" list to help fight public drunkenness.

Aurora Police Department Sgt. Tom McNamara says the list will have "certain clientele" police and fire departments see regularly. The (Aurora) Beacon-News reports (http://trib.in/1IhxoVp ) that includes people police and fire employees transport six times or more in a 120-day period.

The City Council approved keeping the list earlier this week as part of an overhaul to city liquor laws. Aurora is roughly 40 miles west of Chicago.

Police say the goal is public safety. Those on the list won't be able to purchase liquor in Aurora and local businesses are expected to comply.

Authorities say they got the idea from Madison, Wisconsin, which has a similar policy.