City Passes Changes To Liquor Laws That Allow For Conditional Approval of More Types of Liquor Licenses

Mayor’s Press Office    312.744.3334

Efrat Stein, Department of Busness Affairs & Consumer Protection (BACP)    312.744.5365

Today, the Chicago City Council approved an amendment that will allow businesses applying for a Tavern or Packaged Goods liquor license to obtain conditional approval on applications.

The change will benefit the business community and support businesses investing in new construction or expanding by now allowing applicants of Tavern or Packaged Good liquor licenses to take advantage of the conditional approval process.

Before the change, the law only allowed businesses applying for a Consumption On Premises Incidental Activity liquor license to apply for conditional approval and applies to businesses such as a restaurants, hotels, theaters or bowling alleys.

The conditional approval process benefits a business owner planning on constructing a new building, or expanding by allowing the owner to submit a liquor license application before any money is spent on new construction.

The liquor application process proceeds on its normal Local Liquor Control Commission (LLCC) approval process, including sending notice to the registered voters, local alderman and police commander. In addition the application
documents are reviewed and a criminal back ground check is conducted.

If approved, the applicant is given one year from the date of approval to complete the construction and pass all inspections by the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection and departments of Health, Buildings and Fire. Under this process, the applicant has the comfort and benefit of knowing that he or she has been approved for a liquor license prior to spending money on an expensive build out.

If the conditional approval is denied at the LLCC stage, the applicant is made aware of the reasons for denial. The applicant can then decide whether or not proceed with the application or appeal the denial before having to invest any
money for construction of the new building.

The amendment will put an end to applicants applying for Tavern and Packaged Goods Liquor licenses and being forced to complete an expensive build out of a new premises with the worry that the money spent on the construction will be
wasted if a liquor license is not approved.

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