Business Licensing Services | Municipal Licensing Group

What Business Licensing Covers

Most hospitality and retail operators need more than a liquor license to legally open their doors. Depending on what you sell and where you operate, you may need a tobacco license, a video gaming terminal license, a food establishment permit, or a standard retail business license — and in many cases, several of these at once.

Each license type has its own application, its own agency, and its own set of requirements. Municipal Licensing Group helps clients understand exactly what they need, prepares the applications, and manages the process through approval.

License Types We Handle

Tobacco dealer licenses — required in Chicago to sell cigarettes, cigars, e-cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, and related products
Video gaming terminal licenses — Illinois Gaming Board licensing for terminal operators and retail locations; local municipal approval also required in most jurisdictions
General business licenses — City of Chicago retail business licensing and equivalent municipal licenses in suburban jurisdictions
Food establishment permits — Chicago Department of Public Health licensing for any operation preparing, handling, or selling food
State licensing coordination — where a license requires both state and local approval (such as video gaming), we coordinate across both
License renewals — tracking and filing annual renewals for every permit your business holds

Documents Typically Required

Requirements vary by license type. Below is a general overview of what is commonly required for the most common business license applications in Chicago.

Business entity documents — Articles of Incorporation or Organization, Operating Agreement, or equivalent, showing ownership and structure
Illinois Secretary of State registration — confirmation the business entity is in good standing with the state
Federal Tax ID (EIN)
Lease or property documentation — executed lease or proof of ownership for the business premises
Certificate of Insurance — general liability coverage meeting City or municipal minimums
For tobacco licenses: documentation of the types of tobacco products to be sold; compliance with local signage and display requirements
For video gaming terminal licenses: Illinois Gaming Board terminal operator agreement; location license application to the IGB; local municipal approval or ordinance compliance; background information for principals
For food establishment permits: floor plan showing food preparation and storage areas; compliance with CDPH food safety requirements; Food Service Sanitation Manager Certification (where required)
Zoning verification — confirmation the business use is permitted at the location under local zoning

How Municipal Licensing Group Helps

Many operators don't realize how many licenses their business actually needs until something goes wrong. We help you get it right from the start:

License inventory review — we identify every permit your specific business model requires at your specific location, so nothing is missed
Application preparation — we prepare and organize all required documents for each license type before filing
Multi-license coordination — when multiple licenses are required simultaneously, we coordinate the timelines so approvals align
State and local coordination — for licenses requiring both Illinois state and municipal approval (such as video gaming), we manage both tracks
Renewal management — we track expiration dates and file renewals proactively so your licenses never lapse
Problem resolution — if an application is flagged, delayed, or denied, we work to identify the issue and resolve it

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a separate tobacco license if I already have a liquor license?

Yes. In Chicago, a tobacco dealer license is a separate permit from a liquor license, issued through BACP. If your business sells both alcohol and tobacco products, you need both licenses. The same principle applies in most suburban municipalities.

How does video gaming licensing work in Illinois?

Video gaming in Illinois requires licensing at two levels: the Illinois Gaming Board licenses the terminal operator (the company that owns the machines) and issues a location license to the retail establishment. Most municipalities also require local approval or have their own ordinances governing video gaming. We coordinate across both the state and local process.

What is a food establishment permit?

In Chicago, any business that prepares, handles, or sells food is required to hold a retail food establishment license issued by the Chicago Department of Public Health. Requirements include meeting food safety standards, having compliant facilities, and — for some operations — holding a Food Service Sanitation Manager Certification. Suburban municipalities have equivalent requirements through their local health departments.

Can you help with multiple licenses at the same time?

Yes — and this is often where clients get the most value from our work. When a business needs a liquor license, a tobacco license, a food establishment permit, and a general business license all at once, the timelines and requirements interact. We manage all of them together so approvals align and nothing delays your opening.