Supporting Information

3 Simple Steps to Obtain a Business License To prepare yourself before applying for a City of Chicago business license, you must first decide what type of business you are interested in starting. Prepare a business plan that will suit your short and long term goals. We encourage you to visit BACP online for more information on business planning, connecting with resources and other important information to help you in being successful.

311 Frequently Asked Questions... 311 Frequently Asked Questions

Accessible Tax Returns Text Format

Administrative Adjustments Administrative adjustments are intended to provide a streamlined approval procedure for minor modifications of selected zoning standards.

Airport Departure Tax Forms

Alternative Pricing System (APS) Alternative Pricing System, or APS, is a system other than individual price marking that is designed to inform consumers of the price of particular products and exempts the retailer from the requirement of individual price marking.

Amusement Tax (7510)

Amusement Tax Forms

Amusement Tax: Subscribers to Paid Television Programming (7511)

Annual Plastic Bag Recycling Reporting Information Find information on how to report Annual Plastic Bag Recycling.

Approved Vehicle List Approved vehicle list for taxicabs and liveries.

Bicycle Messenger License Bicycle Messenger License

Bill of Rights for Consumers Using Tax Preparation Services Tax payers in Chicago will now have recourse against unscrupulous tax preparers after the City Council passed Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s Tax Preparer Ordinance

Boat Mooring Tax (7560)

Boat Mooring Tax Forms

Bottled Water Tax (1904, 1904IN)

Bottled Water Tax Form - Individuals

Bottled Water Tax Forms List of Bottled Water Tax Forms

Business Affairs and Consumer Protection Hearing Schedule The Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection holds hearings and community meetings in its Room 805 offices.

Business Enterprises Owned by People with Disabilities (BEPD) Initiative The Business Enterprises Owned by People with Disabilities (BEPD) Program is a certification aimed at stimulating the utilization of small businesses owned and operated by persons with disabilities.

Business License Exemptions Some Occupations are exempt from city licensing if the occupation/profession is licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.

Business License Forms Business License Forms

Business Licenses City of Chicago Business Licenses listed within sectors of common business attributes.

Businesses Businesses

Campaign Financing Ordinance Campaign Financing Ordinance of the City of Chicago

Central Area Action Plan

Certification of Weighing and Measuring Devices All devices used for weighing or measuring, where products are directly sold to consumers, must be certified by the City of Chicago.

Changes to Your Business License As a licensed business in the City of Chicago you must report any changes in ownership/officers, business location or business name to the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection.

Chicago Area Clean Cities CACC is one of 83 Clean Cities coalitions across the country. The City of Chicago coordinates CACC, whose members represent governments, businesses, educational and research institutions, fuel providers, utilities and environmental organizations.

Chicago Board of Ethics - A General Guide for the Public The Board of Ethics, established in 1987, administers and enforces Chicago’s Governmental Ethics and Campaign Financing Ordinances (Chapters 2-156 and 2-164 of the City’s Municipal Code). These laws establish conflict of interests standards for City employees, elected officials, appointed officials, lobbyists, contractors, candidates for elected City office, campaign contributors, and others who interact with City government personnel.

Chicago Maps Chicago community area and citywide maps.

Chicago Recycling Guide: A to Z Chicago's A to Z Guide to Recycling

Chicago Revealed Chicago Revealed introduces viewers to the people and places that make Chicago what it truly is - a dynamic city with something new to discover around every corner.

Chicago's Quick Guide to Liquor Licensing Chicago's Quick Guide to Liquor Licensing

Cigarette Tax (7506)

Cigarette Tax Form

Cigarette Tax Refunds

Cigarette Tax Return - Purchaser

City-County Collaboration on Cigarette Investigations City-County Collaboration on Cigarette Investigations

Classes of Liquor Licenses Classes of Liquor Licenses

Commercial Composting There are several companies in the Chicago area that provide commercial composting services.

Commercial Refuse Container Permits

Community Facilities Loan Program The Home Ownership Preservation Initiative (HOPI) is a partnership between the City of Chicago, Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago, and key lending, investment and mortgage servicing institutions doing business in Chicago.

Consolidated Notices for Businesses Tickets Issued to Corporate Vehicles

Contact Procurement Contract Administration

Creative Chicago Expo The 10th annual Creative Chicago Expo will take place on Friday March 1 and Saturday March 2, 2013, at the Chicago Cultural Center. Hours will be 10:00 - 4:00 pm both days.

Debt Collector License

Delegate Agency Documents Delegate Agency documents to process contracts online.

Department of Aviation Concessions

Diesel Retrofit Program The City of Chicago is retrofitting a portion of the City's diesel-powered fleet using oxidation catalysts (catalytic converters). The City plans to retrofit the entire diesel fleet over time, pending funding availability. The retrofits will improve air quality while reducing the risk of health problems related to diesel exhaust.

Doing Business with Sister Agencies

Doing Our Share for Cleaner Air: Idling Reduction Information Regarding Cleaner Air through Idling Reduction

EZ Dec Helpful Points Paper-based Real Property Transfer Tax Declaration forms for Chicago, Cook County and State of Illinois are being replaced by EZ Dec. These points address questions users may have.

Electricity Infrastructure Maintenance Fee (7576)

Electricity Infrastructure Maintenance Fee Forms

Electricity Use Tax (7578)

Electricity Use Tax Forms

Electricity Use Tax Forms - Distributors of Electricity Use Tax

Emergency Telephone System Surcharge - Landline

Emergency Telephone System Surcharge - Landline (2908)

Emergency Telephone System Surcharge - Wireless (2906)

Emergency Telephone System Surcharge - Wireless Tax Forms

Employers' Expense Tax (7540)

Employers' Expense Tax Forms

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Get involved in Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy programs.

Enterprise Zone Incentives - Referral List Referral list for Enterprise Zone Incentives

Ethics and Campaign Financing: A guide for persons or business entities that have or seek contracts with the City of Chicago Chicago’s Governmental Ethics and Campaign Financing Ordinances (Chapters 2-156 and 2-164 of Chicago’s Municipal Code, respectively) impose restrictions on the interactions of persons and business entities who are City contractors or vendors (or who seek City contracts) with City employees or officials. This brochure summarizes these restrictions.

Fashion Focus: Chicago’s Fashion Week A week-long celebration of Chicago’s thriving fashion industry showcases some of its top designers and features runway shows in Millennium Park and fashion events at various locations around the city.

Food Establishment Signs, Regulations & Forms Food Establishment Signs, Regulations and Forms

Foreign Fire Insurance Tax (7505)

Foreign Fire Insurance Tax Forms

Fountain Soft Drink Tax (7590)

Fountain Soft Drink Tax Forms

Free Business Counseling at BACP Solution Station Visit the Small Business Solution station every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and get free business counseling, legal assistance and financial and loan assistance from our trusted non-profit partner agencies.

GIS Data The City of Chicago provides free GIS data for download in compressed shapefile (ESRI) format. Available data sets include administrative and political boundaries, special incentive programs, points of interest and transportation features. Also, data sharing agreements for non-governmental and governmental entities.

Gas Use Tax (7574)

Gas Use Tax Forms

General Contractors License

Gift Restrictions Before they accept any gift, City employees and officials should consider not only whether the law permits them to keep the gift, but whether accepting it may create the perception that their independent judgment will be compromised.

Governmental Ethics Ordinance Chapter 2-156 (Prior Code §26.2) of the Municipal Code of Chicago as amended, effective November 1, 2012

Grocery-Anchored Retail Loan Program

Ground Transportation Tax (7595, 7595EZ, 7595US)

Ground Transportation Tax - Underserved Areas

Ground Transportation Tax Forms

Ground Transportation Tax Forms - Short Form For Four Cabs or Less

Horse Drawn Carriages A Horse Drawn Carriage License is required for carriages or any device where a person is or may be transported or drawn upon the public way, designed to be or capable of being driven by a horse.

Hotel Accommodations Tax (7520)

Hotel Accomodation Tax Forms

Intergovernmental Links Listing of intergovernmental links

Investigation of Discrimination Complaints The Commission on Human Relations receives, investigates, and rules on discrimination complaints filed under the Chicago Human Rights Ordinance and Chicago Fair Housing Ordinance.

Job Order Contracts (JOC) Sub-Order Releases

Late Hour Liquor License Application Process Businesses wishing to remain open beyond the regular time of closing may obtain a Late Hour Liquor License if they meet certain criteria and follow the application process.

License Appeal Commission (LAC) 2013 Meeting Schedule Dates listed for the (LAC) 2013 Meeting Schedule

License Application Requirements Information Information resource for standard business license application requirements.

License Reform Information Information resource list for the business license reform ordinance.

Liquor License Community Meetings The Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection/Local Liquor Control Commission assists local community members and licensees in resolving these problems together by facilitating community meetings.

Liquor License Eligibility The City of Chicago’s liquor license application process is designed to ensure that liquor licenses are issued only to persons who meet the eligibility requirements of the Chicago Municipal Code and the Illinois Liquor Control Act.

Liquor License Forms Forms needed for liquor licenses.

Liquor License Inspections Liquor License Inspections

Liquor License Restrictions and Special Regulations Liquor License Restrictions and Special Regulations

Liquor Tax (7573)

Liquor Tax Forms

Lobbyist Definitions Definition of a Lobbyist.

Lobbyist Filing Requirements The Governmental Ethics Ordinance requires persons who lobby City government to register with the Board of Ethics and regularly file activity reports (or termination notices, where appropriate).

Lobbyist Forms Please note that anyone may print or download these blank forms and the filing instructions that accompany them, but the Board of Ethics will not accept for filing any form that is returned to the Board's offices electronically. Only those forms delivered to the Board in person or by mail that contain hand-written signatures can be accepted by the Board of Ethics for filing in compliance with the relevant provisions of the City's Governmental Ethics Ordinance.

Local Industrial Retention Initiative (LIRI) Councils A list of Local Industrial Retention Initiative (LIRI) Councils

MPEA Airport Departure Tax (8500)

Millennium Park - Private Events The sky’s the limit when hosting an event in Chicago’s Millennium Park. Located in the heart of the City, Millennium Park is easily accessible to all major hotels, restaurants and transportation hubs and is the perfect location for your high profile events.

Mobile Food Vendor Licenses Mayor Emanuel introduced an ordinance passed by the City Council to expand mobile food vehicle operations in neighborhoods across Chicago.

Monthly Business Education Workshop Schedules The Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection (BACP) offers free workshops every Wednesday and Friday. Workshops vary each month and are conducted by City Officials, experts and partner business organizations.

Motor Vehicle Lessor Tax (7575)

Motor Vehicle Lessor Tax Forms

Natural Gas Occupation Tax Forms

Navy Pier Vendor License A Navy Pier Vendor license is required for businesses located at Navy Pier engaged in sales of merchandise or food on indoor and/or outdoor pushcarts/kiosks, which are stationary and in the designated space as per the vendor's lease agreement with Navy Pier.

New American Small Business Series The City of Chicago's Office of New Americans (ONA) and the Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection (BACP) invite small business owners and entrepreneurs to four quarterly expos as a part of the New American Small Business Series.

Nomination: Chicago Park Boulevard System Historic District The Historic Preservation Division of the Department of Housing and Economic Development is preparing a nomination of Chicago’s historic Park Boulevard System to the National Register of Historic Places. The City’s park boulevard system is one of Chicago’s finest historic resources.

Nomination: West Loop-La Salle Street Historic District The Historic Preservation Division of the Department of Housing and Economic Development is preparing a nomination of Chicago’s historic West Loop to the National Register of Historic Places.

Non-Retail Transfer of Motor Vehicles Tax (8405)

Non-Retail Transfer of Motor Vehicles Tax Forms

Occupation Tax - Natural Gas Distributor and Reseller (7571)

Office of the Zoning Administrator Information for sending correspondence to the Office of the Zoning Administrator

Ordinance, Publications and Additional Chicago Landmark Information A list of landmark-related publications by Commission on Chicago Landmarks, including the Landmarks Ordinance, Permit Review schedule and guidelines, and the "U.S. Secretary of the Interior Standards for Rehabilitation of Historic Buildings."

Other Public Vehicle Applications / Information Other Public Vehicle Applications / Information

Overview of the Contracting Process

Parking Lot and Garage Operations Tax Forms

Parking Tax (7530)

Personal Property Lease Transaction Tax

Personal Property Lease Transaction Tax (7550)

Plan Examination The Department of Housing and Economic Development reviews building permit applications to ensure plans are in compliance with the Chicago Zoning Ordinance.

Political / Campaign Contribution Information The following is an overview of the City's prohibitions and limitations regarding political contributions. The law on political contributions can be reviewed in the Campaign Financing Ordinance.

Post Employment Restrictions The Governmental Ethics Ordinance, Chapter 2-156 of the Municipal Code of Chicago, contains post-employment restrictions that apply to all former employees and officials of the City.

Procurement Fundamentals 2012 The City of Chicago's Guide to Procurement Fundamentals

Public Chauffeur License Revocations and License Denials Public Chauffeur Licenses Revoked

Real Property Transfer Tax (7551)

Real Property Transfer Tax Forms

Recovery Zone Faciltiy Bonds Recovery Zone Facility Bonds (RZFB) are traditional tax-exempt bonds which have lower interest rates because the interest is tax-exempt to the investors for Federal tax purposes. This is a new category of tax exempt private activity bonds authorized under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to stimulate economic recovery.

Recursos sobre discriminación en español / Discrimination Resources in Spanish La Comisión de Relaciones Humanas publica información en español sobre las Ordenanzas de Discriminación en la Ciudad de Chicago y como se hacen cumplir. Usted puede descargar información usando el link que aparece abajo.

Recycling in Chicago There are many opportunities for recycling in Chicago. Find out how you can start recycling.

Recycling in Commercial Offices Information about recycling in commercial office spaces

Recycling in Commercial/Retail Spaces Information about recycling in commercial and retail spaces in Chicago

Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Initial Microlender Trainee Candidates Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Initial Microlender Trainee Candidates

Resolution to Amend the Rules and Regulations of the Commission on Chicago Landmarks Resolution to Amend the Rules and Regulations of the Commission on Chicago Landmarks information.

Restaurant Tax (7525)

Restaurant Tax Forms

Riverfront Improvement Fund

SSA Provider List List of Special Service Areas in Chicago

Sale of Alcohol To Minors Repeat Offenders Click to see a list of Sale of Alcohol to Minors (SAM) Repeat Offenders within the past two years.

Senior Save Discount Program SeniorSave links seniors to valuable discounts offered by Chicago businesses. A list of participating merchants and their discounts are included in a SeniorSave discount directory. Seniors who apply receive a SeniorSave card to show merchants when making a purchase.

Service Animals Service animals are animals that are individually trained to perform tasks for people with disabilities such as guiding people who are blind, alerting people who are deaf, pulling wheelchairs, alerting and protecting a person who is having a seizure, or performing other tasks.

Settlement and Mediation of Discrimination Cases The Commission on Human Relations receives, investigates, and rules on discrimination complaints filed under the Chicago Human Rights Ordinance and Chicago Fair Housing Ordinance.

Shop Chicago The Shop Chicago program is an aggressive outreach program to introduce retailers, brokers and developers to the many community retail development opportunities in Chicago and to expedite their entry into these markets.

Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF) The SBIF program uses tax increment financing (TIF) revenues to help owners of commercial and industrial properties within specific TIF districts to repair or remodel their facilities for their own business or on behalf of tenants.

Special Service Area (SSA) Program The Special Service Area program is a mechanism to fund expanded services and programs through a localized property tax levy within contiguous industrial, commercial and residential areas.

Steps in the Liquor License Application Process Steps in the Liquor License Application Process

Streamlined Tax Increment Financing

Subcontractor Payment Certification Requirements

Subscribers to Paid Television Programming Tax Forms

TIFWorks Program Information on TIFWorks program.

Tax Application and Affidavit Forms Forms used to correspond with the Tax Division

Tax Audit Information Information about tax audits conducted by the Tax Division of the Department of Finance

Tax Increment Financing Policy Guidelines The Tax Increment Financing Policy Guidelines summarize general TIF investment policies and guidelines for private development projects as practiced by the Department of Housing and Economic Development, which is the administering department for development projects seeking TIF and other forms of subsidy assistance from the City of Chicago.

Tax Increment Financing Program

Tax Information - EN ESPANOL Información sobre los impuestos de Chicago

Tax Information Bulletins Information Bulletins regarding various tax issues

Tax Judgments A list of tax judgment debtors whose tax judgment balances exceed $5,000.00 and remain outstanding for over 120 days

Tax List List of taxes enforced by the Tax Division of the Department of Finance

Tax Preparer Business Information Tax Preparation businesses are required to prepare and submit a Disclosure Form pursuant to Municipal Code 4-44-030[1].

Tax Reasonable Cause Guidelines for Penalty Waiver Requests Reasonable Cause Standards to Abate Late and/or Failure to File Penalties

Tax Registrants List

Tax Returns List of Chicago business tax returns

Tax Rulings List of tax rulings released by the Department of Finance

Telecommunications Tax (7501)

Telecommunications Tax Forms

The Flagged Business List The Flagged Business List is an initiative to target “problem” businesses in Chicago’s neighborhoods. The list is a data driven list that isolates businesses with two or more violations pled liable over the past twelve months.

Tire Fee (BA94)

Tire Fee Forms

Top Tips for Liquor Licensees Top Tips for Liquor Licensees

Use Tax For Non-Titled Personal Property - Contractors

Use Tax Return for Non-Titled Personal Property - Business

Use Tax Return for Non-Titled Personal Property - Individuals

Use Tax Return for Non-Titled Personal Property - Retailers

Use Tax Return for Titled Personal Property

Use Tax Return for Titled Personal Property - Retailers

Use Tax for Non-Titled Personal Property (8402B, 8402CO, 8402IN, 8403)

Use Tax for Titled Personal Property (8400, 8400R)

Valet Parking Operator License A Valet Parking Operator license is required for any “valet parking service”.

Vehicle Fuel Tax (7577)

Vehicle Fuel Tax Forms

Vendor Helpful Tips To ensure a better chance of successful bidding please see the below tips.

Vendor Payment Inquiries

WIA Workforce Center for Business Locations The Workforce Centers for Businesses focus on assisting employers with their workforce development and staffing needs. The centers target employers representing industries including manufacturing, hospitality and tourism, retail and a range of customer service operations. Center staff will assess the employer’s workforce needs, including the identification of skill gaps or critical skills shortages in their current workforce.

Water Bill Rates & Charges Water Bill Rates & Charges

Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles - Information for Owners Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAVs) are required for certain licensees.

Who Is Not a Lobbyist? The following is representative of situations where a person is NOT lobbying.

Who is CCHR? The Commission on Human Relations promotes appreciation of Chicago's diversity and works to eliminate prejudice and discrimination. Commissioners, advisory councils, and staff conduct pro-active programs of education, intervention, and constituency building to discourage bigotry and bring people from different groups together.

Zero Waste Chicago