Illinois Business License

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General Business Licensing Guide
Overview
A businessman opening the office door for his employees

General Business License Requirements for Illinois.

Business licenses are often required of business entities, regardless of their products and services. This page provides an overview of business license requirements in Illinois.

Illinois General Business Licenses

Illinois Business License

Not required



General Business License licensure is not required on the State level in Illinois.

Illinois does not have a general business license at the state level, but local licenses are often required.

Local General Business Licenses

Chicago Business License

Agency:City of Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection - Small Business Center (IL)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Automatic Exemption

Exemption Eligible Organizations:
  • Acupuncturists, Chiropractors, Naprapaths, and Osteopaths
  • Architects
  • Athletics (i.e. Professional Boxers, Boxing Managers, Referees,
  • Timekeepers, Judges, Boxing Promoters and Seconds)
  • Cemetery (Authorities, Managers, and Customer Service Employees)
  • Certified Public Accountants
  • Clinical Psychologists
  • Clinical Social Workers and Social Workers
  • Counselors (Professional and Clinical Professional)
  • Cosmetology Schools and similar establishments
  • Detection of Deception Examiners
  • Dentists, Dental Assistants, Dental Hygienists
  • Dietitians and Nutrition Counselors
  • Engineers (Professional and Structural)
  • Environmental Health Practitioners
  • Funeral (Directors and Embalmers)
  • Geologists (Professional)
  • Landscape Architects
  • Marriage and Family Therapists
  • Nurses
  • Nursing Home Administrators
  • Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapist Assistants
  • Optometrists
  • Pharmacists
  • Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist Assistants
  • Physicians and Physician Assistants
  • Podiatrists
  • Private Detectives, Private Alarm Companies, and Security Guards
  • Real Estate Brokers
  • Respiratory Care Practitioners
  • Shorthand Reporters
  • Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists
  • Surgical (Assistants and Technologists)
  • Veterinarians and Veterinary Technicians
  • Wholesale Drug Distributors
  • ATMs not owned by financial institutions
  • Check Printers
  • Mortgage Bankers and Brokers
  • Savings and Loan Associations
  • Savings Banks
  • State Chartered Banks
  • Trust Companies
  • Credit Unions
  • Currency Exchanges
  • Money Transmitters
  • Title Insurance Companies
Notes:
  • Many business activities regulated by the state of Illinois, through the Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation (IDFPR), are exempt from the requirement to obtain a Chicago Business License.
  • If additional business activities are offered in the establishment/facility, which are not covered by the State of Illinois license, then a Chicago Business License may be required. 

Initial Registration

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

Vary by business activity. See this page for detailed information.

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

Vary by business activity. See this page for detailed information.

Due:

Biennially

City of Columbia Business License / Occupancy Permit

Agency:City of Columbia (IL)
Law:

City of Columbia IL Municipal Code

Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Notes:
  • The application nformation (which includes the Business License/Occupancy Permit Application and the Communications Emergency Contact List must be completed and submitted to the Building & Zoning Office at Columbia City Hall prior to opening business. Submitting this application does not represent City approval to open proposed business.
  • Inspection of Business/Occupancy Location: After application has been reviewed by the appropriate staff at City Hall, inspections of the proposed business location will be scheduled with the business representative and property owner. This process is to confirm the proposed location is meeting all code requirements regarding zoning, building, fire and electrical, as well as ensuring sufficient parking for employees and customers will be provided.
  • Approved/Denied Business License/Occupancy Permit: After all inspections have been completed, you will be contacted by the City Clerk’s office and informed of the permit status. If a business license has been approved, the Clerk’s Office will inform the applicant of the appropriate fees.
  • Approved Permit: If approved, the City Clerk’s Office will mail the Business License/Occupancy Permit and an invoice for the Business License Permit to the Permit Holder.
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Form:

Business License Registration Application 

Filing Method:

Email info@columbiaillinois.com or communitydev@columbiaillinois.com

Agency Fee:

$40, payments can be done online. 

Registration Renewal

Form:

Business License Registration Application (Renewal)

Filing Method:

Email info@columbiaillinois.com or communitydev@columbiaillinois.com

Agency Fee:

$25, payments can be done online. 

Due:

Annually by April 30. 

City of Elgin Business License

More Information:

City of Elgin

Agency:City of Elgin Community Development Department
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$0

Due:

Annually by December 31st

City of Kankakee Business License

Agency:City of Kankakee City Clerk's Office
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Form:

Business License Registration Application

Filing Method:

Mail

Agency Fee:

$100

Required Attachments:
  • Copy of valid Photo ID (Driver’s License or State ID)/List of Officers
  • Copy of current Illinois Retailers Occupation Tax ID Number
  • Copy of current Fire Inspection Report 
  • Copy of current Proof of Insurance coverage on building showing the policy period
  • Copy of current State License
  • Copy of current Kankakee County Health Department License (if applicable)
  • Copy of State of Illinois Tobacco Certificate

Registration Renewal

Agency Fee:

$100

Due:

Annually by April 30. 

Required Attachments:
  • Copy of valid Photo ID (Driver’s License or State ID)/List of Officers
  • Copy of current Illinois Retailers Occupation Tax ID Number
  • Copy of current Fire Inspection Report
  • Copy of current Proof of Insurance coverage on building showing the policy period
  • Copy of current State License
  • Copy of current Kankakee County Health Department License (if applicable)
  • Copy of State of Illinois Tobacco Certificate

City of Orland Park Business License

Agency:City of Orland Park Development Services Department (IL)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Form:

Business License Application 

Filing Method:

Email developmentservices@orlandpark.org

Agency Fee:

Fees are determined by business type. See fee schedule. 

Registration Renewal

Form:

Business License Application 

Filing Method:

Email developmentservices@orlandpark.org

Agency Fee:

Fee determined by business type. See fee schedule. 

Due:

Annually by December 31. 

Elk Grove Village Business Application

Agency:Elk Grove Village Finance Department (IL)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Form:

Business License Registration Application 

Filing Method:

Mail 

Agency Fee:

Fees determined by business type. 

Registration Renewal

Form:

Business License Registration Application (Renewal)

Filing Method:

Mail 

Agency Fee:

Fees determined by business type. 

Due:

Annually by May 1. 

The Village of Elmwood Park Business License

More Information:

The Village of Elmwood Park, IL

Agency:The Village of Elmwood Park Businesses (IL)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Village East Hazel Crest Business/Contractor Business License

Agency:Village of East Hazel Crest (IL)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Insurance Requirements:

Certificate of Insurance with the Village of East Hazel Crest listed as "additionally insured" in the description box (Contractor Business License only) 

Bond Requirements:

$10,000 Surety Bond (except plumbers) (Contractor Business License only) 

Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Form:

East Hazel Crest Based Business License Application or Contractor's Business License Application

Filing Method:

Mail or in person 

Agency Fee:
  • East Hazel Crest Based Business License: Determined by business type. See fee schedule. 
  • Contractor's Business License: General Contractor $200, Sub-Contractor $150
Original Ink:Required
Required Attachments:
  • Contractor's Business License
    • Business License Application returned with original signature
    • Certificate of Insurance with the Village of East Hazel Crest listed as "additionally insured" in the description box
    • $10,000 Surety Bond (except plumbers)
    • Applicable State Licensing
    • Applicant's State ID

Registration Renewal

Form:

East Hazel Crest Based Business License  or Contractor's Business License

Filing Method:

Mail or in person 

Agency Fee:
  • East Hazel Crest Based Business License: Determined by business type. See fee schedule. 
  • Contractor's Business License: General Contractor $200, Sub-Contractor $150
Due:

Annually by April 30. 

Original Ink:Required
Required Attachments:
  • Contractor's Business License 
    • Business License Application returned with original signature
    • Certificate of Insurance with the Village of East Hazel Crest listed as "additionally insured" in the description box
    • $10,000 Surety Bond (except plumbers)
    • Applicable State Licensing
    • Applicant's State ID    

Village of Bedford Park Business License

Agency:Village of Bedford Park (IL)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Form:

Business Regulation Certificate (BRC) Application – New Business

Filing Method:

Mail

Agency Fee:

Fee determined by business size. See application for fee schedule. 

Registration Renewal

Form:

Business Regulation Certificate (BRC) Application – Annual Renewal

Filing Method:

Mail

Agency Fee:

Fee determined by business size. See application for fee schedule. 

Due:

Annually by June 30. 

Village of Broadview Business License

More Information:

Village of Broadview, IL

Agency:Village of Broadview Building Department (IL)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Form:

Business License Registration Application

Filing Method:

Mail 

Agency Fee:

Determined by business type.

Registration Renewal

Form:

Business License Registration Application (Renewal)

Filing Method:

Mail 

Agency Fee:

Determined by business type. 

Due:

Annually by December 31.

Village of Elmwood Park Business License

More Information:

The Village of Elmwood Park, IL

Agency:Village of Elmwood Park Business Section (IL)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Village of Hoffman Estates Business License

Agency:Village of Hoffman Estates Village Clerk's Office (IL)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Form:

Business License Registration Application 

Filing Method:

Mail 

Agency Fee:

Fees are determined by business type. See fee schedule. 

Registration Renewal

Form:

Business License Registration Application (Renewal)

Filing Method:

Mail 

Agency Fee:

Fee determined by business type. See fee schedule. 

Due:

Annually by April 30. 

Village of New Lenox Business License

Agency:Village of New Lenox (IL)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Form:

New Business Registration Form

Filing Method:

Mail

Agency Fee:

$50

Registration Renewal

Form:

Renewal Business Registration Form

Filing Method:

Mail

Agency Fee:

$25

Due:

Annually by October 31. 

Village of Oswego Business Registration

Agency:Village of Oswego (IL)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Form:

Business Registration Application (online) 

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

Home Fee = $25, Commercial Fee = $50, Not-For Profit = $0

Registration Renewal

Form:

Business Registration Renewal Application (online)

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

Home Fee= $25, Commercial Fee= $50, Not-For-Profit Fee= $0

Due:

Annually by December 31. 

Penalties:

$55 fine. 

Village of Schaumburg Business License

Agency:Village of Schaumburg Finance Department (IL)
Law:

Title 11, Chapter 110 of the Village Code

Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Form:

Business License Registration Application 

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

Determined by business type. See fee schedule. 

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

Determined by business type. See fee schedule. 

Due:

Annually by December 31. 

Village of Streamwood Business License

Agency:Village of Streamwood Village Clerk's Office (IL)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Form:

Business License Registration Application 

Filing Method:

Mail

Agency Fee:

Determined by business type. 

Registration Renewal

Form:

Business License Registration Application (Renewal)

Agency Fee:

Determined by business type. 

Due:

Annually by December 31. 

Learn about general business licensing requirements in other states:

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho
Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri
Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania
Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

Related Resources
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Managing Business Licensing to Maximize Returns
How three companies achieved ROIs of over 30x.

Revised September 08, 2022. Complete data last reviewed August 04, 2017.
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