Licenses

There are several licenses that you will need, all of them renewable. Some take as short of time as 2 weeks, some up to 3 months. Make sure you plan your time frame correctly, and ask if you have applied for all licenses and requirements from your town. Keep faithfull notes on all your inquiries.

You will need from your town:
Business Liscence (usually from the finance department)
Liquor License (from the liquor commissioner in your town, usually the mayor)
Building Inspector (see our entry Certificates for more info)
Sign Permits (for any new signs or banners as well as those that need to be posted inside your establisment)
You can find your town at:
The Official City Web Site

You will need from the state:
State Business Licence
Corporate Forms (or see our Legal)
Liquor Liscence
you will also need
Health Department Liscence
Food & Sanitation Certificate
also see:
Handling Food
(see our Certifications for more health department links, information, and other inspections!!)
some other helpfull links are
City of Chicago Web Site
State of Illinois Commerce

If you don't like running around doing all of this yourself, visit our Legal and hire a lawyer to help you!! Don't forget to go check out our CHECK LIST, as some licences and certificates require you to be incorporated BEFORE or as a requirement to obtain them.
Remember, with the Liquor Liscence, they DO perform a background check. As rules, regulations and the exclusions change alot, make sure you inquire about this, especially if you've had trouble with the law. It may determine if (you are a sole proprietor, or part of the corporate structure) you can even be on the legal paperwork of the restaurant establishment or not. A lawyer can advise and help you with this particular aspect.