Bringing Your Business to Illinois
Helping National Companies Bring Business to Illinois
Whether you have an established presence in Illinois or you are looking to expand your operations to Illinois with a liquor license, the business attorneys of Ciesla & Ciesla can assist you. We have extensive experience representing corporate business interests in Illinois, working with corporate executives, company attorneys, and staff to:
- Obtain a liquor license
- Open new locations
- Acquire existing businesses
- Establish franchise opportunities
- Repurchase franchisee stores
- Expand an existing location with additional licenses, for example: a sidewalk café or late hour license
- File change of owners/officers applications
- File manager's applications or report new managers
- Prepare "Liquor Moratorium License Applications" in the City of Chicago
- Navigate municipal rules and regulations that apply to obtaining a liquor license or Basset or Sanitation certifications
We Can Be as Involved as You Need us to Be
Some clients only need assistance obtaining a liquor license. Other clients involve our attorneys in all stages of a project, beginning with business formation or registration in Illinois, lease negotiations or real estate closings, acquisition of business licenses and liquor licenses, contract review, and consultation on employment practices.
Thorough Site Location: Assessment of Zoning and Land Use Restrictions
When you are considering a location for your business in Illinois, it is essential to investigate whether the site is zoned properly for your intended use. Does a Planned Unit Development (PUD) exist that would restrict your use? Is there a moratorium or other restriction that could present an obstacle to your expansion or acquisition?
Our Chicago business lawyers work with clients to determine if a site they are considering will work for their planned use. We regularly work with Chicago's Department of Business Affairs and Licensing, and staff and boards of other municipalities to obtain variances, special use permits, and public way use permits.
In some cases local ordinances do not allow for a company's desired use. We have worked with municipalities to obtain ordinance changes to accommodate our client's proposed use.
Good Working Relationships with Municipalities
It is critical that your company develop relationships with municipal staff from the earliest stages of your application process. Often you will need to make a presentation before village staff, the local liquor control commission, or the village's Board of Trustees. If your project is in the City of Chicago and there is a moratorium affecting your proposed site, you may need to work with your Alderman to address moratorium issues.
Our attorneys have made many successful presentations on behalf of clients to municipal, village, and city staff and liquor commissioners. We help our clients navigate the application process, understand what is important to government officials, and target presentations to address those issues and priorities.
Restaurant, Bar and Night Club Laws and Liquor Licensing
Laws regarding the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages are primarily regulated on a state by state and city by city basis. An accurate understanding of how those laws apply to your situation is essential. Work with an attorney who is familiar with local liquor laws. At Ciesla & Ciesla, we can help make the process of filing liquor license applications in different municipalities efficient and cost effective.
In many cases, municipalities require managers, bartenders, and other employees in bars and restaurants to be BASSET trained. BASSET (Beverage Alcohol Sellers and Servers Education and Training) is a program administered by the State of Illinois. In the case of restaurants, you may need additional certifications, for example a Retail Food Service Sanitation Certificate.
Food and entertainment venues often require other licenses as well. We can assist you with late hour licenses, late hour safety plans, retail food licenses, restaurant licenses, occupancy permits, and public way use permits.
Even the best businesses are sometimes cited for violations of local or state liquor codes. At Ciesla & Ciesla we defend clients charged with violations and appear on their behalf before local liquor commissioners and the Illinois Liquor Control Commission. We can help you identify preventative and corrective measures to guard against future violations.
Notifying the State of Changes in Ownership or Management
If your company experiences a change of owners, officers or managers, various departments at the municipal, state, and federal levels will need to be notified, usually within a specified amount of time. If your company's records are not accurate, the state or municipality issuing your license may take action that could adversely affect your license or license renewal.
If you are looking for experienced, professional and respected legal council to assist your national business in moving to Illinois, contact the business lawyers of Ciesla & Ciesla today.
