(a) All applications for a license submitted to the Department shall be reviewed and approved by the Zoning Administrator for compliance with the Chicago Zoning Ordinance.
(b) Upon receipt of an application for a license, the Commissioner shall transmit to the appropriate departments or boards all information necessary for any required investigation, inspection or approval. Within ten days after receipt of such information, the head of the applicable department or board shall investigate the applicant or inspect the business premises, as appropriate, and shall provide the Commissioner with a written report summarizing the results of such investigation or inspection, or, if applicable, whether the license applicant has sufficiently self-certified the requirements necessary for approval of the application. The Commissioner is also authorized to examine the applicant for a license or renewal thereof or its controlling persons under oath, and to examine the books and records of any such applicant. If the applicant fails to appear to answer any question or to produce any book(s) or record(s) required to be produced, such failure shall be sufficient grounds to disapprove the license application. Within two business days of receipt of such written report, the Commissioner shall approve or disapprove the license application.
If the Commissioner determines that the applicant and all controlling persons have complied with all requirements necessary for the license to be issued, and that the location of the business and the condition of the premises are proper, and that the license applicant is in compliance with all laws and provisions of the Code applicable to the business identified in the license application, the Commissioner shall issue such license.
If the Commissioner disapproves the license application or renewal, the Commissioner shall notify the applicant in writing of the reasons for such disapproval. Such notice shall be sent to the applicant, by first class mail addressed to the applicant at the address identified in the license application, within five calendar days after the date on which such disapproval occurs. Within ten calendar days after such notice is mailed, the license applicant may make a written request to the Commissioner for a hearing on the disapproved application. Within ten calendar days after such written request for a hearing is made, a public hearing shall be authorized before a hearing officer appointed by the Commissioner. Such public hearing shall be commenced within ten calendar days after such hearing is authorized. Within 14 calendar days after completion of such hearing, the hearing officer shall report the findings to the Commissioner. If the Commissioner determines after such hearing that the license application or renewal should be denied, the Commissioner shall, within 60 calendar days after such hearing has been concluded, state the reasons for the Commissioner's determination in a written finding and shall serve a copy of such written finding upon the license applicant. The Commissioner's determination shall be final and may be appealed in the manner provided by law.
(c) Except for licenses issued pursuant to Chapter 4-60 or Articles III, V or VI of Chapter 4-156 of this Code: The license review process shall be completed within 90 calendar days after the license application is filed. If the license review process is not completed within 90 calendar days after the license application is filed, the license application fee shall be forfeited to the City and a new application and filing fee submitted to the Department after expiration of such 90-day period, unless the delay in completing the license review process was caused by the City or is solely due to the failure to complete building inspections.
(d) If an inspection is required under Title 4 for a license to be issued or renewed, no fee shall be assessed for such inspection. Provided, however, that a $50.00 reinspection fee may be assessed against an applicant if a subsequent inspection is necessary due to the applicant's failure to take any required action or whenever a scheduled inspection cannot take place because the applicant is absent.
(Added Coun. J. 5-9-12, p. 27485, § 14; Amend Coun. J. 2-10-16, p. 18766, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 11-21-17, p. 61755, Art. VII, § 1)