(A) Any licensee may renew the license at the expiration thereof, provided that the licensee is then qualified to receive a license, and that the premises for which such renewal license is sought are suitable for such purposes; and, provided further that the renewal privilege herein provided for shall not be construed as a vested right which shall in any case prevent the County Board from decreasing the number of licenses to be issued within its jurisdiction.
(B) To renew a liquor license, an applicant must submit an affidavit to the office of the Auditor, stating that the information and statements contained in the original application have not changed. Upon such affidavit being filed, the license may be renewed without the filing of an application as provided in this section.
(C) If the information and statements contained in the original application have changed then, the applicant must submit a supplement to the original application. This supplement shall be in writing, verified by oath or affidavit, and signed by the applicant if an individual. In the case of a renewal application on behalf of a co-partnership, firm, association, club or corporation, the application shall be in writing, verified by oath or affidavit, and signed by at least two members of the co-partnership, firm, association or club; or by the president and secretary of the corporation; or by the trustee.
(D) There shall be a 30-day waiting period before the issuance of a renewal license for retail sale of alcoholic liquor in order to provide sufficient time to verify the contents of the renewal application. The 30-day period shall begin to run upon the receipt of a properly completed renewal application by the Commissioner.
(E) To avoid any possible lapse in the liquor license renewal, all renewal applications must be received before November 30 of the same year that the liquor license is to expire. If the licensee fails to renew the county liquor license on or before November 30 of the year prior to the expiration of the license, said licensee any not engage in any activities for which a liquor license is required until the licensee applies for a renewal license and remits all applicable fees, including late fees.
(F) No retailer’s license shall be renewed if such retailer is delinquent in filing any required tax returns or paying any amounts owed to the county until the applicant is issued a certificate by the County Treasurer stating that all delinquent returns or amounts owed have been paid by cashier’s check, certified check, money order or cash.
(G) No retailer’s license shall be renewed if the Illinois Department of Revenue has reported to the Illinois Liquor Control Commissioner or the County Commissioner that such retailer is delinquent in filing any required tax returns or paying any amounts owed to the state until the applicant is issued a certificate by the Department of Revenue stating that all delinquent returns or amounts owed have been paid by guaranteed remittance or a payment agreement to pay all amounts owed has been accepted by this same Department.
(H) No license shall be held in existence by the mere payment of fees. Where the continuous operation of the licensee business has lapsed for a period longer than 90 days, said license is not eligible for renewal.
(1) However, if the licensee’s premises have been destroyed or damaged either by fire or an act of God, and cannot be rebuilt or repaired within a 90-day period, then the Commissioner may extend the period of time for which the liquor license may be held without being in continuous operation for an additional 90 days.
(2) If the 90-day period elapses without the licensee returning to continuous operation of the premises, the license for said premises shall expire, and the applicant-licensee must make a new application for license.
(I) All applicable renewal fees shall be paid by the applicant with a certified check, cashier’s check or money order at the time the application for license is submitted. Personal checks will not be accepted. In the event that the renewal license is denied, said license fees shall be refunded to the applicant.
(J) Failure to supplement the renewal application when required, or violation of any provision of this chapter may result in immediate suspension or revocation of the liquor license.
(K) Failure to comply with the requirements of this section, or knowingly furnishing false information on the liquor license application shall be grounds for immediate suspension or revocation of any liquor license held by such applicant or licensee.
(L) Late fees. The late fee applicable under division (E) of this section for license renewal applications not received before November 30 of the same year that the liquor license is to expire is $100.
(1993 Code, § 70.16) (Ord. 93-09, passed 12-15-1993; Ord. 93-10, passed 12-15-1993; Res. passed 2-17-2010)