The Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) issues business licenses in the City of Chicago and regulates industries as diverse as retail, food establishments, day care centers, manufacturing facilities and motor vehicle repair shops. BACP also regulates the sale of retail liquor in Chicago.
File a complaint with your local consumer protection office. Notify the Better Business Bureau (BBB) in your area about your problem. The BBB tries to resolve complaints against companies.
Consumer should submit all complaints through the City's 311 system. You can file a complaint by calling 311, or going online, or using the CHI311 App on your phone.
Consumers are urged to use 311 to report fraud or other possible illegal practices by businesses or contractors located in Chicago.
Company response The company will communicate with you as needed and respond to the issues in your complaint. Companies generally respond in 15 days. In some cases, the company will let you know their response is in progress and provide a final response in 60 days.
Consumers are urged to use 311 to report fraud or other possible illegal practices by businesses or contractors located in Chicago. For home repair work done on a Chicago home, BACP will also investigate complaints against a business or contractor located outside the City.
A General Business License (GBL) is required for all businesses in the unincorporated area of Cook County that engage in general sales, that provide a service, engage in office operations, or businesses that do not fall under another license category and are not exempt from County Licenses.
Most types of businesses in Chicago require a business license to operate, including: food and liquor establishments, retail, entertainment venues, theaters, nail salons, salons, home-based businesses, day care centers, manufacturing facilities, accommodations (including airbnbs and vacation rentals), fitness centers, ...
The ecommerce industry is regulated by digital customer data privacy laws such as CCPA, Data Broker Registrations and GDPR among others. You must comply with the privacy laws applicable to your business in order to avoid potential legal penalties and reputational damages.
Applying for a business license often requires: Determining legal structure - for instance, whether you are a sole proprietor or limited liability corporation. A detailed description of your business's activities. A sales tax license, which you can obtain from your state agency.