Illinois Municipal Business License Defense

We defend businesses in Illinois municipal business permit revocation proceedings

Illinois Municipal Business License Defense Attorney

Illinois Municipal Business Permit Defense Lawyer

The State of Illinois municipalities to regulate businesses in their village and municipal limits. Municipal and County business licensing is part of the Illinois Administrative Law process. For Village Business License and Municipal Business Permit holders who face disciplinary action, the consequences are profound. The business license and business permit disciplinary process in each municipality is complex, procedural and time consuming. Individuals and businesses facing an Illinois Village Business License Complaint, Hearing or Revocation should seek legal representation from an experienced Chicago Municipal Business License Defense Attorney.

The firm’s Chicago area contact information is:

1901 N. Roselle Road Suite 800
Schaumburg, IL 60195
(847) 495-8309

Illinois municipalities differ slightly in the types of businesses that are licensed and regulated. The following list provides a sample of businesses that may require village business licenses or village business permits:

  • Amusement
  • Bar/Lounge/Nightclub
  • Barbershop/Hair Salon
  • Bowling Alley
  • Building Contractor
  • Cafe
  • Car Dealership
  • Commercial Retailer/Retail Store
  • Coin Operated Machine Operator
  • Convenience Store
  • Day Care
  • Factory/Warehouse
  • Firearms Dealer
  • Gas Station
  • Grocery Store
  • Home Based Business
  • Hotel/Motel
  • House of Worship
  • Jewelry Store
  • Liquor Sales
  • Lottery
  • Massage Parlor
  • Nursing Home
  • Pawnshop
  • Pool Hall
  • Private School
  • Restaurant
  • Taxi/Rideshare
  • Valet
  • Vending Machine Operator
  • Video Arcade
  • Video Poker

Illinois Business Permit Defense Lawyer

The majority of Illinois Village Business Permit investigations begin with the filing of a consumer Complaint. However, Illinois Municipal Business Permit Investigations also occur through sting operations, criminal conviction referrals and criminal investigations. Generally, the Village’s Police Department primarily conducts complaint investigations against holders of Illinois Business Permits. In some municipalities, non sworn civilian officials, or the Village Manager, conduct compliance inspections and investigations. Administrative Law Due Process Rights differ substantially from the Due Process Rights accorded in criminal law.

It is important to have an attorney that understands the Illinois Business Permit disciplinary process. At the conclusion of an Illinois Business License Investigation, the Village has several options. The municipality can choose to close the Complaint. The matter may be referred for Administrative Action. Administrative Action can include the suspension or revocation of the Business License or Business Permit. The case may also be referred to the State’s Attorney’s Office for criminal prosecution.

The Administrative Law process often culminates in an Administrative Law Hearing. Most counties, municipalities and villages appoint a Hearing Officer to preside over the Administrative Law Hearing. However, in some cities, the City Council, County Commissioners or Village Council may preside over the Administrative Law Hearing. If you are a Business License or Business Permit holder in Illinois facing a suspension or revocation, contact a Chicago Business License and Business Permit Defense Attorney for representation.

Illinois Business License and Business Permit Attorney

If the county, municipality or village recommends disciplinary action against a Business Permit holder, the Business License holder must respond. Failure to respond can result in a default and automatic revocation of the Business Permit or License. An Administrative Law procedure can result in the suspension or revocation of an Illinois Village Business License or Business Permit. In some cases, it is possible for businesses to reach a settlement with the village or municipality. If a settlement cannot be reached, the parties will proceed to a formal Hearing before either a Hearing Officer or the City (Village) Council. If the matter is heard before the County, the County Commission may hear the matter directly. Illinois Village Business License holders and Municipal Business Permit holders facing a suspension nor revocation Hearing should contact an experienced Illinois Business License and Business Permit Defense Lawyer for representation.

Illinois Business License and Business Permit Hearing Attorney

Hearings Officers on behalf of Illinois counties, municipalities and villages conduct Hearings for the following matters:

  • Business License and Business Permit Disciplinary Hearings
  • Business License and Business Permit Suspension and Revocation Hearings
  • Business License and Business Permit Denial Appeals

A Village Business License disciplinary Hearing is conducted in a more informal manner than in Circuit Court. A Village or City Council may appoint a Hearing Officer to preside over the Administrative Law Hearing. The Hearing Officer makes a recommended decision with specific factual findings. The recommended decision is then transmitted to the Village Council or City Council. In cases of a County matter, the recommended decision is transmitted to the County Commission. The Final Decision of a County, Municipality, or Village can be appealed to Circuit Court. Illinois Business Permit holders facing disciplinary action need effective representation from a Chicago Business License Hearing Lawyer.

Illinois Municipal Business Permit and Criminal Convictions

Villages in Illinois can discipline Business License holders and Business Permit holders for criminal activity and criminal convictions. Villages and counties have wide discretion in disciplining businesses criminal activity and criminal convictions. Common criminal offenses that can cause Business Permit denial and Business License revocation in Illinois are:

  • Diverting a Controlled Substance
  • Domestic Violence
  • DUI
  • Healthcare Fraud
  • Insurance Fraud
  • Medi-Cal Fraud
  • Medicare Fraud
  • Prescription Pill Fraud (Pill Mill)
  • Sex Offenses
  • Workers Compensation Fraud

Village Police Departments and other law enforcement agencies also investigate criminal conduct by businesses and individuals with Village Business Licenses. Criminal investigations often involve businesses engaged in Illegal Gambling, Narcotics Sales, Prostitution, Receiving Stolen Property and Unlawful Firearms and Ammunition Sales. Illinois business owners facing criminal charges need an experienced Illinois Business License Defense Attorney for representation in disciplinary proceedings involving Village Business Licenses and Business Permits.

Illinois Business License Denial Appeal Attorney

Village Police Departments generally conduct background investigations for businesses and individuals seeking a Village Business License or Business Permit. In some municipalities, the Planning Department assumes this role. The Police Department or Planning Department may recommend the denial of Business License or Business Permit to the Village Manager. The Village (City) Council has final Administrative authority over whether a Business License or Business Permit is granted or denied. Most Business License and Business Permit denials in Illinois occur due to criminal activity, criminal convictions and unlawful business practices.  Businesses and individuals denied an Illinois Village Business License should contact a Chicago, Illinois Business License Denial Appeal Lawyer for representation.

We represent business owners in Business License and Business Permit disciplinary matters in the following Illinois counties, cities and villages:

Cook County: Arlington Heights, Chicago, Cicero, Des Plaines, Elk Grove Village, Evanston, Glenview, Hoffman Estates, Lincolnwood, Mount Prospect, Northbrook, Niles, Oak Lawn, Oak Park, Orland Park, Palatine, Park Ridge, Prospect Heights, Rosemont, Schaumburg, Skokie, Streamwood, Tinley Park, Wheeling, Wilmette and Winnetka

DuPage County: Addison, Aurora, Bloomingdale, Carol Stream, Downers Grove, Elmhurst, Hanover Park, Lisle, Lombard, Naperville, Villa Park, West Chicago and Wheaton

Lake County: Barrington, Buffalo Grove, Deerfield, Fox Lake, Grayslake, Hawthorn Woods, Highland Park, Kildeer, Lake Forest, Lake Zurich, Libertyville, Long Grove, Vernon Hills and Waukegan

The firm’s Chicago area contact information is:

1901 N. Roselle Road Suite 800
Schaumburg, IL 60195
(847) 495-8309