How much permits cost to open in Chicago

In Chicago, the filings with a fixed government fee add up to about $150. 7 more are set by the space or the business, and 6 are free. Build-out, insurance and adviser costs are on top.

Updated October 17, 202614 filingsSources: the agencies' own sites

Application for Employer Identification Number (EIN)

Internal Revenue ServiceUS federal

Owners with an SSN or ITIN apply online. A company whose responsible party has neither (most China-based owners) faxes or mails Form SS-4, or calls the IRS international line.

Fee
Free
Filed
Paper form, faxed or mailed
Takes
Fax: about 4 business days. Mail: about 4 to 5 weeks. Phone: issued on the call.

File on the agency's site How to fill it
LLC formation

Illinois Secretary of StateIsrael, national

Form the LLC online, or register a company formed in another state to do business in Illinois.

Fee
$150
Filed
Filed online

File on the agency's site How to fill it
Illinois business registration (sales tax)

Illinois Department of RevenueIsrael, national

Register before your first purchase, sale or hire: online in MyTax Illinois (Register a New Business, Form REG-1), by mail or at an IDOR office. You get a certificate of registration and a taxpayer ID; Chicago's food license application asks for the Illinois Business Tax number.

Fee
Varies
Filed
Filed online
Takes
About 1 to 2 business days online; 4 to 6 weeks on paper.

File on the agency's site How to fill it
Create/Update Importer Identity Form

U.S. Customs and Border ProtectionUS federal

Sent to CBP (usually through your customs broker), or created in the ACE portal. Needed before your first entry as importer of record.

Fee
Free
Filed
Paper form, mailed
Takes
Up to 5 business days.

File on the agency's site How to fill it
Customs Bond

U.S. Customs and Border ProtectionUS federal

Bought from a CBP-approved surety, usually through your customs broker, who files it electronically. A continuous bond covers a year of entries.

Fee
Varies
Filed
Filed on the agency's portal
Takes
At least 5 business days for review.
Renews
Continuous bonds renew yearly.

File on the agency's site How to fill it
Chicago food service sanitation certificate

Chicago Department of Public Health, Food Protection ProgramChicago

A person in charge holding this Public Health certificate must be on site whenever food that needs temperature control is prepared, held or served. Pass an approved course, or apply for reciprocity with a valid ANSI-accredited food protection manager certificate. A place selling only prepackaged food doesn't need one.

Fee
Varies
Filed
Filed online

File on the agency's site How to fill it
ACE Secure Data Portal account for importers

U.S. Customs and Border ProtectionUS federal

Applied for online in ACE. Lets you see your entries, duties and bond.

Fee
Free
Filed
Filed online

File on the agency's site How to fill it
Cosmetic product facility registration (MoCRA)

U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationUS federal

Filed online in Cosmetics Direct by the facility that makes or processes the cosmetics.

Fee
Free
Filed
Filed online
Renews
Every two years.

File on the agency's site How to fill it
Cosmetic product listing (MoCRA)

U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationUS federal

Filed online in Cosmetics Direct by the brand (the responsible person on the label), one listing per product.

Fee
Free
Filed
Filed online
Renews
Update every year.

File on the agency's site How to fill it
Product safety certificate, filed electronically at entry

U.S. Consumer Product Safety CommissionUS federal

The importer issues the certificate itself (there is no government form) and, under the eFiling rule, files the certificate data with CBP at entry.

Fee
Free
Filed
Filed online

File on the agency's site How to fill it
Hazardous materials registration

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (DOT)US federal

Filed online when you ship or offer certain hazardous materials in bulk, such as large lithium battery shipments.

Fee
Varies
Filed
Filed online
Renews
Every year by June 30.

File on the agency's site How to fill it
Unemployment insurance employer registration

Illinois Department of Employment SecurityIsrael, national

A new business registers with IDES within 30 days of starting, online through MyTax Illinois or on the paper REG-UI-1 form.

Fee
Varies
Filed
Filed online

File on the agency's site How to fill it
Food establishment plan review

Chicago Department of Public Health, with the Department of BuildingsChicago

For new construction or a rehab, a city health sanitarian reviews the plans as part of the building permit application, coordinated between Public Health and Buildings. Public Health isn't on E-Plan and doesn't review plans filed under the self-certification program.

Fee
Varies
Filed
Filed in person

File on the agency's site How to fill it
Chicago retail food establishment license

City of Chicago, Business Affairs and Consumer Protection, with the Department of Public HealthChicago

Chicago's business license for any fixed place that serves, stores or sells perishable food, at a properly zoned, non-residential address. Apply online or at the Small Business Center, City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St., Room 800, with the lease, Illinois Business Tax number, FEIN, ownership details and photo ID; the place must pass a public health inspection before the license is issued.

Fee
Varies
Filed
Filed online
Takes
Chicago doesn't publish a standard processing time; the license is issued after zoning approval, payment and any required inspections, then mailed to your business.
Renews
Every 2 years.

File on the agency's site How to fill it

Guides for each business in Chicago

Agency requirements change. Check each agency's page before you file.

Get the plan for your business in Chicago

This guide covers the city. Your exact address decides the county, the health district and the zoning. Placetta maps every filing for it, fills the official forms from your details, adds the deadlines and puts them up for your approval.

The full list for your address, in filing order
The official forms, filled line by line
Renewal and inspection reminders