A. Application: It shall be unlawful for any person to solicit within the City without first having obtained a license therefor. Any person desiring to secure a solicitation license shall complete an application form. All information required on the form shall be supplied, including:
1. Name and address of the applicant and all persons who will be soliciting.
2. If the applicant is employed by another, the name and business address of such other person, association, organization, company or corporation.
3. A copy of a government-issued identification card for each person who will be soliciting under the requested license.
4. If the applicant is a corporate entity, evidence that the applicant is registered to conduct business in the State of Illinois and is in good standing with the State.
5. If the applicant is a charitable organization, as defined by the Illinois Solicitation for Charity Act, 225 Illinois Compiled Statutes 460/1 et seq., evidence that the applicant is registered with the Illinois Attorney General.
6. A statement that the applicant and all persons who will be soliciting under the requested license have never been convicted of, or pleaded guilty to, a felony, any crime involving fraud, misrepresentation, or unauthorized entry to property, or a violation of any of the provisions of this chapter or any other municipal, county or state ordinance, statute ,or regulation regulating solicitation.
7. Description and license number of any motor vehicle used.
8. Nature of the services, subscriptions, or goods offered for sale, or of the cause for which contributions are sought, or of the information sought.
9. Date(s) and time for which a license is desired; provided no license will be issued for a period in excess of 60 days.
10. Signature of the applicant.
11. Every applicant must to submit to fingerprinting and photographing by the police department in connection with the application .
12. Such additional information as the Chief of Police may deem necessary to process the application.
The application shall be submitted to the City Clerk together with two (2) photographs (2 inches x 2 inches) acceptable to the City Clerk as a likeness for each person who will be soliciting under the requested license and a copy of the current certificate of registration from the Illinois Department of Revenue showing applicant’s Illinois State Sales Tax number. The City Clerk may request such additional identification and credentials as may be reasonably required.
B. Issuance, Denial: Within ten business days after receiving a complete application, the City Clerk shall issue a solicitation license unless the Chief of Police, or their designee, determines and finds that:
1. Any material statements made in the application are false;
2. The applicant or any persons listed on the application has, within five years prior to the date of the application, been convicted of or pleaded guilty to (i) a felony or any crime involving fraud, misrepresentation, or unauthorized entry to property under the laws of the State of Illinois, any other state, or the United States, or (ii) a violation of any of the provisions of this chapter or any other municipal, county or state ordinance, statute ,or regulation regulating solicitation; or
3. The applicant or any persons listed on the application has had a previously issued solicitation permit revoked by the City within five (5) years prior to the date of the application.
C. Denial: If an application is denied, then the City Clerk will notify the applicant in writing of the denial, including the reason for the denial. The notice of denial will be delivered in person at the City Hall, or by first class U.S. mail addressed to the address set forth in the application, or by e-mail if the applicant has requested to receive communications by e-mail. An application will be deemed denied on the day the notice of denial is delivered in person or is placed in the U.S. mail, or is sent by e-mail to the e-mail address provided by the applicant. Any rejection may be appealed by the applicant to the City Council at its next regularly scheduled meeting. If an application is denied, the fee shall be returned to the applicant. (Ord. O2018-48, 10-15-2018; amd. Ord. O2022-26, 8-1-2022)