State Guide

Illinois Business License

This guide covers Illinois's general business license requirements — state-level registration, local city and county licenses, fees, and renewal timelines.

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Overview

Illinois does not issue a general state-level business license. Businesses that sell tangible personal property must register with the Illinois Department of Revenue for a Retailer's Occupation Tax (ROT) account — the Illinois equivalent of a seller's permit.

Business licensing in Illinois is primarily handled locally. Chicago has one of the most complex local licensing systems in the country. Other Illinois cities, villages, and counties maintain their own licensing programs.

Illinois Retailer's Occupation Tax Registration

Primary agencyIllinois Department of Revenue
Legal authority35 ILCS 120 (Retailers' Occupation Tax Act)
Key noteNo general state business license; ROT registration required for retail sales. Chicago has additional complex local requirements.

Initial Registration

Filing methodOnline at MyTax Illinois
Agency feeNo fee
NotesRegister before making first taxable retail sale in Illinois.

Registration Renewal

Filing methodRegistration does not expire; file tax returns periodically
Agency feeNo renewal fee
Due dateReturns due monthly, quarterly, or annually based on sales volume

Local General Business Licenses

Illinois local licensing is complex, especially in Chicago. Individual businesses may need multiple licenses based on activity type.

Counties

Adams CountyAlexander CountyBond CountyBoone CountyBrown CountyBureau CountyCalhoun CountyCarroll CountyCass CountyChampaign CountyChristian CountyClark CountyClay CountyClinton CountyColes CountyCook CountyCrawford CountyCumberland CountyDe Witt CountyDeKalb CountyDouglas CountyDuPage CountyEdgar CountyEdwards CountyEffingham CountyFayette CountyFord CountyFranklin CountyFulton CountyGallatin CountyGreene CountyGrundy CountyHamilton CountyHancock CountyHardin CountyHenderson CountyHenry CountyIroquois CountyJackson CountyJasper CountyJefferson CountyJersey CountyJo Daviess CountyJohnson CountyKane CountyKankakee CountyKendall CountyKnox CountyLake CountyLaSalle CountyLawrence CountyLee CountyLivingston CountyLogan CountyMacon CountyMacoupin CountyMadison CountyMarion CountyMarshall CountyMason CountyMassac CountyMcDonough CountyMcHenry CountyMcLean CountyMenard CountyMercer CountyMonroe CountyMontgomery CountyMorgan CountyMoultrie CountyOgle CountyPeoria CountyPerry CountyPiatt CountyPike CountyPope CountyPulaski CountyPutnam CountyRandolph CountyRichland CountyRock Island CountySaline CountySangamon CountySchuyler CountyScott CountyShelby CountySt. Clair CountyStark CountyStephenson CountyTazewell CountyUnion CountyVermilion CountyWabash CountyWarren CountyWashington CountyWayne CountyWhite CountyWhiteside CountyWill CountyWilliamson CountyWinnebago CountyWoodford County

Cities & Townships

AltonAuroraBellevilleChicagoChicago City (Cook County)CiceroCollinsvilleColumbiaElginElk Grove VillageElmwood ParkEvanstonGlen CarbonGodfreyGranite CityHoffman EstatesJolietKankakeeNapervilleNew LenoxNilesOrland ParkOswegoRock IslandRockfordSchaumburgSpringfieldStickneyStreamwood

EntityEngine does not provide tax, financial, or legal advice. Requirements change — always verify with the issuing agency. Confirm with Illinois Department of Revenue →

Frequently Asked Questions

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