Bourbon bottles worth sampling and a cause worth toasting are coming together in St. Charles next month, as CASA Kane County hosts its 5th Annual Bourbon Social at Liquor 'N' Wine on October 24. The tasting event, which runs in tiers from 2:30 p.m. Super VIP access through 8 p.m. general admission, raises money for an organization tasked with representing every child abuse, neglect, and probate guardianship case that opens in the county's court system.
That legal mandate makes CASA Kane County's work significant. As a court-appointed Guardian ad Litem organization within Illinois' 16th Judicial Circuit, CASA Kane County is assigned to 100 percent of such cases, according to Kane County government. As reported by Shaw Local, CASA Kane County advocates for children in foster care.
CASA Kane County recruits and trains volunteers to serve as advocates. To serve as a CASA/GAL advocate in Kane County, individuals receive training and supervision, according to the organization's own job description. Active volunteers advocate for children in court proceedings, with that work grounded in Article II of the Illinois Juvenile Court Act of 1987, which gives court-appointed Guardians ad Litem the authority to review medical, educational, and social records on a child's behalf, according to the GAL National Database.
What a Ticket Actually Buys
Proceeds from the Bourbon Social support CASA Kane County's advocacy mission, per CASA Kane County's own organizational materials. General admission runs from 6 to 8 p.m. and lets guests sample more than 80 bottles, while VIP access opens at 4 p.m. with entry to more than 30 exclusive pours. VIP guests get access to the entire Pappy Van Winkle antique collection. Super VIP guests, who gain entry at 2:30 p.m., receive a 90-minute private tasting session with industry professionals.
The event offers general admission, VIP, and Super VIP tiers. Beyond the pours, the evening includes live music, raffles, and a stogie lounge, with food provided by BG Hospitality, the restaurant group behind Gia Mia, Livia Italian Eatery, Moto iMoto, Ella's Italian Pub, and Fire + Wine. All admission times are strictly enforced, and guests must be 21 or older. The event takes place at Liquor 'N' Wine, 2460 West Main Street in St. Charles.
The local push fits into a much larger statewide picture. According to statewide network statistics from Illinois CASA, 3,252 volunteers and staff partners across 85 Illinois counties advocated for 10,052 children who experienced abuse and neglect in fiscal year 2026, with family reunification the leading outcome among closed cases.
CASA Kane County describes its mission as ensuring children have a dedicated voice during difficult circumstances. Readers interested in tickets or volunteering can find details at casakanecounty.org, or reach the organization's St. Charles office at 1607 E. Main Street, Suite 2E, by calling 630-232-4484.
