General Business License Information
 
All persons who conduct, engage in, maintain, operate, carry on, or manage a business or occupation within the City limits of Waukegan are required to have a business license, other than those businesses or occupations that are exempt from City licensing pursuant to law.

You may be required to obtain more than one business license. A separate license is required for each location of your business in the City. A separate license is also required for each trade category under which you operate. Licenses are not transferable. A new license must be obtained when owners, locations or trade names change.

In general when applying for a business license certain requirements must be fulfilled; such as occupancy permit for any City location, zoning approval for the location, and an Illinois sales tax identification number. Specific types of businesses may have additional requirements imposed by City Ordinance.

Please note that these requirements are for a Business License in the City of Waukegan only. Additional requirements may be needed for certain trades or professions from other agencies. Please contact the Federal Government and the State of Illinois to review additional requirements or the City Collectors Office at (847) 599-2560.

The license fee for each license is $87.50 per calendar year for each business having 25 employees or less; $175.00 per calendar year for each business having 26-100 employees; and $262.50 per calendar year for each business having more than 100 employees.

Click on the this link to see Category Codes for specific Businesses

In the City of Waukegan Ordinance Book - Sec. 14-1101

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