(A) The Mayor is authorized to grant, with the consent of the majority of the City Council (three- fifths votes) and issue licenses to individuals, firms and corporations to sell at retail and to keep and offer for sale at retail alcoholic liquors within the limits and territory of the city upon the conditions and in the manner provided by this chapter and by the Act of the General Assembly of the state, and not otherwise. Such license shall be in writing, signed by the Mayor and attested by the Municipal Clerk/Finance Director, with the seal of his or her office affixed thereto.
(B) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Mayor may unilaterally issue a renewal license in the event there are no material changes in the renewal application information; vis a vis, the original liquor license application.
(C) Prior to issuance of a new license or renewal license, the applicant must submit to the Mayor an application in triplicate, in writing and under oath, stating the following:
(1) The name, age and address of the applicant in the case of an individual; in the case of a co-partnership, the persons entitled to share in the profits thereof, and in the case of a corporation for profit or a club, the date of incorporation, the object for which it was organized, the names and addresses of the officers, directors and the name of the person who will be managing the establishment for which the license is sought, and if a majority in interest of the stock of such corporation is owned by one person or his or her nominee, the address and name of such person;
(2) The citizenship of the applicant, his or her place of birth and if a naturalized citizen, the time and place of his or her naturalization;
(3) The character of business of the applicant and, in the case of a corporation, the objects for which it was formed;
(4) The length of time that the applicant has been engaged in the business of that character or, in the case of a corporation, the date on which its charter was issued;
(5) The location and description of the premises or place of business which is to be operated under such license;
(6) Whether applicant has made similar application for a similar other license on premises other than described in the application and the disposition of such application;
(7) That applicant has never been convicted of a felony and is not disqualified to receive a license by reason of any matter or thing contained in the aforesaid Act of the General Assembly or in this chapter or resolution and amendments thereto;
(8) Whether a previous license issued to the applicant by any state, or subdivision thereof, or by the federal government has been revoked and the reasons therefor; and
(9) He or she will not violate any of the laws of the state or of the United States, or any of the provisions of this chapter or resolution and amendments thereto in the conduct of his or her place of business.
(D) (1) In the case of a partnership or corporation, the information and statements required by this section shall be furnished as to each partner and, with respect to a corporation, the information and statements required by this section shall be furnished as to the president of the corporation, the secretary of the corporation, the directors of the corporation and with respect to the person who is to manage the establishment for which a license is sought.
(2) If the application is made on behalf of a partnership, firm, association, club or corporation, then the same shall be signed and sworn to by at least two members of such partnership, firm, association or club, or by the president and secretary of such corporation.
(E) One copy of the application shall be retained by the Mayor; one copy given to the Chief of Police. The Chief of Police shall endorse on the copies his or her approval or disapproval of the application and may make further comments regarding that application. The copies shall be returned to the Mayor and the endorsement and comment of the Chief of Police shall be considered by him or her as an aid in deciding whether the license should be issued or refused.
(F) Accompanying each application shall be a duly executed release of information, which authorizes disclosure of all background information of said applicant, including, but not limited to, credit history and criminal history and book and records and fingerprint checks. The applicant shall be responsible for fees.
(Ord. 2810, passed 1-13-2009; Ord. 2858, passed 1-12-2010)
Statutory reference:
Related provisions, see 235 ILCS 5/7-1