Illinois Liquor License Law Attorney

Chicago Lawyers for Local, State, and Federal Liquor Licensing Issues

The liquor industry provides business owners with many opportunities, but due to the complexity of liquor laws, it can also involve a wide variety of pitfalls and setbacks. Any business that plans to operate in the state of Illinois must be sure to obtain the proper licenses and follow all applicable laws and regulations. By working with an experienced attorney, you can ensure that your business will be prepared for success.

At Bahr Anderson Law Group, LLC, we have been working in the field of liquor law for more than 37 years, and we understand the laws and legal issues that affect alcohol-related businesses of all sizes and types. Whether you are looking to manufacture liquor, distribute it at the wholesale level, or sell it to consumers, we can help you obtain the necessary licenses. We can also work with you to put policies and procedures in place that will help you avoid any fines or penalties that would affect your ability to do business.

Legal Help With Liquor Licensing Issues

Our attorneys offer dedicated help with liquor license applications for businesses throughout the state of Illinois. We assist with:

• Manufacturers - Brewers of beer, distillers of alcoholic spirits, wineries and other wine manufacturers, non-resident dealers, or rectifiers of alcoholic beverages will need to obtain federal and state licenses. The type of license will depend on the type and amount of liquor being produced. Manufacturers are typically only allowed to sell liquor to distributors or other manufacturers.
• Distributors - Liquor wholesalers, importing distributors, or foreign importers will need to obtain federal and state licenses. Distributors must be registered by a manufacturer for the products they are allowed to distribute and the area where they are allowed to operate.
• Retailers - Any establishment that sells or serves alcohol to consumers must obtain a local license, followed by a state license. Retailers may also be required to ensure that all employees who serve alcohol receive Beverage Alcohol Sellers and Servers Education and Training (BASSET).
• Craft Manufacturers - Smaller-scale liquor manufacturers may be able to receive licenses that allow for sales of products to retailers rather than using a distributor. Licensed brew pubs or distilling pubs may sell a certain amount of liquor directly to consumers after manufacturing it on the premises. 
• Wine Shippers - Wine manufacturers locate inside or outside of the state of Illinois may obtain a license allowing them to sell and ship wine directly to Illinois consumers.
• Federal Licensing - Liquor manufacturers or distributors will need to obtain a Federal Basic Permit or a Federal Brewer's Notice, and they must receive a Certificate of Label Approval (COLA) for all products.
• State Licensing - All businesses which make, distribute, or sell alcoholic beverages in the state of Illinois must obtain the required license from the Illinois Liquor Control Commission (ILCC).
• Local Licensing - Every city or town throughout the state of Illinois sets its own liquor laws, and when applying for a liquor license, retailers of alcoholic beverages must meet the unique requirements of the municipality where they are located.
• Chicago Retail Licenses - Retailers in the City of Chicago must obtain one of three types of liquor licenses: a Tavern License, a Packaged Goods License, or a Consumption on Premises/Incidental Activity License.
• Violation Hearings - A license holder who allegedly violates local or state liquor laws may be penalized with a fine or the suspension or revocation of their license. A licensee will typically be given the opportunity to contest violations in a hearing.
• Appeals - Decisions made by local licensing boards regarding violations or applications may be appealed to the ILCC or to the Chicago License Appeal Commission, depending on your business location. An unfavorable decision may be appealed to the Illinois Circuit Courts or Illinois Appellate Courts. 

Contact a Chicago Liquor Licensing Attorney

Whether you need to apply for a new liquor license, obtain a license because of a transfer of business ownership, address violations of liquor laws, or appeal an unfavorable decision by a licensing authority, Bahr Anderson Law Group, LLC can provide the legal help you need. We will work with you to ensure that you understand how local, state, and federal liquor laws apply to your business, and we will help you create a plan that will enable you to meet your business goals. To speak to our attorneys, contact our office at 630-462-1113.