Strategic Counsel for
the Business of Illinois.

Our complimentary initial consultation is a substantive working session — not a sales call. We review your specific situation: the license type you need, the location you are considering, any known complications such as moratorium zones or ownership structure issues, and what the process will realistically require. You leave with a clear picture of what needs to happen, how long it will take, and what we would charge to manage it. There is no obligation to engage us further.

A standard new liquor license application in Chicago — assuming a clean application, no moratorium zone issues, and no community objections — typically takes 90 to 120 days from filing to issuance. Applications involving moratorium zones, ownership complications, or active community objections can take significantly longer. The 35-day community notification window is mandatory and cannot be shortened. MLG's pre-application preparation is designed to resolve potential obstacles before filing so the application timeline is as predictable as possible.

A moratorium zone is a ward-defined geographic area in which new liquor licenses — or certain types of liquor licenses — are restricted by an ordinance passed by the ward alderman through city council. Being in a moratorium zone does not automatically disqualify an application, but it requires a formal exception and active aldermanic support. MLG identifies moratorium zones during our pre-application site review and develops a strategy to address them before any application is filed — this often requires direct engagement with the alderman's office and community stakeholders well in advance of filing.

Alderman approval is not legally required, but it is practically essential for liquor license applications. The ward alderman is formally notified of all new liquor license filings in their ward and carries significant influence over the BACP approval process. Negative aldermanic input can delay or prevent license issuance. MLG engages aldermanic offices early in the process — often weeks or months before filing — to identify concerns, build support, and ensure the application has the strongest possible posture when it reaches BACP review.

Yes. A City of Chicago packaged goods license is required for any business selling alcohol in its original sealed container for consumption off the premises — including liquor stores, grocery stores, convenience stores, and similar retail operations. Packaged goods licenses are subject to distance restrictions from schools, places of worship, and libraries, as well as moratorium zone restrictions. MLG manages the full packaged goods application process, including pre-application site review and alderman outreach.

Yes. Municipal Licensing Group serves businesses throughout Chicago and the surrounding Cook County suburbs, including Lincolnwood, Skokie, Glenview, Morton Grove, Niles, Hoffman Estates, Evanston, Des Plaines, Park Ridge, Schaumburg, Arlington Heights, Rosemont, and all municipalities throughout Cook, Lake, DuPage, and Will Counties. Licensing requirements differ by municipality — we advise on the specific requirements and process for your location.

We work with a wide range of businesses including liquor stores and packaged goods retailers, restaurants and bars, convenience stores and grocery operations, smoke shops and tobacco retailers, gaming establishments, and general retail and service businesses. We also advise investors and entrepreneurs in the pre-opening and acquisition stages — conducting regulatory and zoning due diligence before lease commitments are made. If you are acquiring an existing licensed business, we provide license transfer and ownership amendment services as part of the transaction.