This page covers the steps, fees and fines behind the Cook County General Business License. All of it applies only in unincorporated Cook County. A business inside a Cook County town or Chicago uses that municipality's license, and DuPage, Kane, Will and Kendall counties are outside these rules. The overview is on the main license page.
What the law requires
| Requirement | What it means in plain words | Section |
|---|---|---|
| Hold a GBL | Obtain it before doing business in an unincorporated area, unless exempt | 54-383, 54-392 |
| Sworn application | Filed in writing, under oath, with the Director of Revenue | 54-384(a) |
| Application contents | Business name and address; ID numbers and home addresses of a sole proprietor or the three largest owners and any 5% owner; property PIN; short business plan; sales-tax allocation code | 54-384(a) |
| Wage certification | No repeated or willful violation of Illinois wage payment, minimum wage, WARN, employee classification or federal FLSA laws admitted or found in 5 years (or a County Board exception); wages meet County minimum wage rules | 54-384(a)(8), (9); 54-391(b) |
| Fee, term, posting | Pay the fee; the license lasts 2 years; display it at the premises | 54-385, 54-387, 54-388 |
| Staying in line | Follow County rules on environment, health, safety, zoning, taxes and human relations, or risk suspension or revocation | 54-390 |
| Inspection | Health, Building and Zoning and Environment may inspect first | 54-384(c) |
Key numbers and dates
| Item | Amount or date | Year in force | Source label |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Business License | $40 per license | Period 1 March 2025 to 28 February 2027 | County GBL page; Code 32-1 |
| Late fee | Equal to the license fee; the County page states a $40 penalty | 2025 period | Code 54-386; GBL page |
| Processing time | Up to 30 to 45 days after a complete application; no expedite | FAQ file dated January 2025, text still showing 2023 dates | County GBL FAQ |
| Business occupancy certificate | $250 | County page read October 2026 | Building and Zoning page |
| Retail food license (unincorporated areas) | $150 to $600 a year by seats (1 to 25: $150; over 200: $600) | Page updated 11 December 2025 | County public health page; Code 32-1 |
| Liquor license application | $3,000; a State liquor license is also required | Fee schedule read October 2026 | Code 32-1; County liquor page |
Source: Cook County Code Section 32-1 and County pages
Recent and pending changes
- The current two-year GBL period began on 1 March 2025 and ends on 28 February 2027. Applications go through the County's online Business License Portal.
Penalties and enforcement
The Department of Revenue issues the license. A County department that issues citations can send it a notice of violation recommending denial, suspension or revocation, and the Sheriff helps enforce. The ladder (Sections 54-389, 54-391, 54-394):
| Step | What can happen |
|---|---|
| Operating without a license | Once a violation is determined: denial of County contracts, permits or licenses, and/or a fine |
| First offense | Fine of $100 |
| Second offense | Fine of $250 |
| Third and later offenses | Fine of $500 |
| Continuing violation | Each day after notification is a separate offense |
| Closure | The Director may close the business until it is licensed, following the Section 54-391 process |
| Denial, nonrenewal, suspension or revocation | Only after a License Administration Hearing, with at least 7 days' written notice |
Related: our local payroll taxes guide and the checklist and FAQs page.
Official sources
- Cook County: General Business License
- Cook County Code of Ordinances, Chapter 54, Article X (Municode)
- Cook County Code of Ordinances, Chapter 32 fee schedule (Municode)
- Cook County Department of Public Health: Retail Food Establishment Application
- Cook County: Building and Zoning Business Occupancy
This page is a plain-language summary. The official source controls if there is any difference.