The Illinois ILCC Brew Pub License Application is the state form a person or business files with the Illinois Liquor Control Commission to legally brew beer on a restaurant premises and sell it for on-site and limited off-site consumption under 235 ILCS 5/1-3.33. A brew pub licensee may make up to 155,000 gallons per year and sell that beer at retail from the licensed premises, but a single mistake on the disclosure pages, the premises sketch, or the local-license attachment can stall the file for months.
The license is not optional, and operating without it is a Class A misdemeanor under the Illinois Liquor Control Act of 1934. The Illinois Liquor Control Commission processed thousands of license actions in its most recent reporting year, and ILCC staff regularly cite incomplete owner-disclosure pages and missing local liquor licenses as the top two reasons brew pub files are returned unfiled.
- 🍺 How the Brew Pub License differs from Class 1, 2, and 3 Brewer licenses
- 📝 A line-by-line walkthrough of every field on the ILCC application
- 🏢 The exact attachments, fees, and local approvals you must gather first
- 👥 Three full filled-out examples for real Illinois brew pub scenarios
- ⚠️ The 10 most common mistakes that get applications rejected or delayed
What the Brew Pub License Is and Who Must File It
The Brew Pub License is a hybrid manufacturer-retailer license created by the Illinois General Assembly under 235 ILCS 5/1-3.33, and it lets the holder brew beer and sell that beer directly to customers on the licensed premises. The license is issued by the Illinois Liquor Control Commission, the state agency that regulates alcohol manufacturing, distribution, and retail under the Liquor Control Act of 1934. Anyone who plans to brew beer at a restaurant, taproom, or hotel where customers can drink that beer on site must hold this license before the first batch is sold.
The Brew Pub License covers the entire chain in one document: the brewing equipment, the storage tanks, the taps, and the dining room. It is different from a Class 3 Brewer license, which only allows manufacturing for sale to a distributor, and it is different from a Class 1 or Class 2 Brewer license, which contemplate larger production volumes for wholesale. A brew pub licensee can produce no more than 155,000 gallons of beer per year and may not sell more than that volume at retail from the licensed premises, a cap set by Public Act 099-0448.
You must file this application if you operate or plan to operate a restaurant, bar, or hotel in Illinois that will brew its own beer on premises. Corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships, and sole proprietors all file the same form, but the disclosure pages change based on the entity type. Out-of-state owners are allowed, but every owner with a 5% or greater interest must be disclosed and fingerprinted, and any owner with a felony conviction can disqualify the entire application under 235 ILCS 5/6-2.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Gather every document below before you open the application, because the ILCC will not hold a partial file open while you chase missing items. Brew pub files routinely sit in “deficient” status for 60 to 120 days when even one attachment is missing, and the ILCC licensing forms page lists each required exhibit by name.
- Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) letter from the IRS — the ILCC cross-checks the FEIN against your entity name, and a mismatch triggers a manual review.
- Illinois Secretary of State Certificate of Good Standing — proves your LLC or corporation is active; expired entities are auto-rejected.
- TTB Brewer’s Notice approval or pending receipt — the federal Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau must approve your brewery before the ILCC issues the state license.
- Local liquor license or signed local approval letter — Illinois requires a local license first under 235 ILCS 5/4-1, and Chicago applicants need a City of Chicago Consumption on Premises – Incidental Activity license.
- Lease, deed, or land contract for the premises — proves you have legal possession; month-to-month leases trigger extra scrutiny.
- Detailed sketch or floor plan of the licensed premises — must show the brewing area, fermentation tanks, storage, bar, and dining areas with measurements.
- Fingerprint cards or LiveScan receipts for every owner, officer, and member with 5% or more interest — required under 235 ILCS 5/6-2 for the criminal background check.
- Illinois Department of Revenue tax clearance — confirms no outstanding state tax liability; obtain this through the MyTax Illinois portal.
- Surety bond or letter of credit (if required by local rules) — Chicago and several home-rule cities require a bond.
- Source-of-funds documentation — bank statements, loan letters, or investor agreements showing where the startup capital came from.
If any item above is missing on the day you submit, expect a deficiency letter within 10 to 15 business days. The deficiency clock runs against you, and a file abandoned for more than 90 days is closed without refund of the filing fee.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
The official application lives on the ILCC Licensing Forms page, which the Commission updates whenever the legislature changes a fee or a disclosure rule. Always download the form fresh on the day you start filling it out, because an outdated version with a superseded revision date in the footer will be rejected at intake. The current Brew Pub License application packet is a multi-page PDF that includes the main application, the owner/officer disclosure pages, and the premises sketch instructions.
You can also pick up a paper packet in person at either ILCC office. The Chicago office is at 50 W. Washington St., Suite 209, Chicago, IL 60602, and the Springfield office is at 300 W. Jefferson St., Suite 300, Springfield, IL 62702. Both locations accept walk-in pickup during regular business hours, and staff can answer general questions but cannot give legal advice on your specific situation.
For online filing, the ILCC directs new applicants to its MyTax Illinois liquor license portal, where you create an account, upload the completed PDF and exhibits, and pay the fee by ACH or credit card. The portal saves your progress, but it logs out after 30 minutes of inactivity, so draft long narrative answers in a separate document and paste them in. The Step-by-Step Application Guide for new retailers on the ILCC homepage walks through MyTax registration screen by screen.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out the Brew Pub License Application Line by Line
This is the heart of the file, and every field below maps to a specific box on the official ILCC application. Use the exact field names printed on the form, write in black ink if filing on paper, and never leave a field blank — write N/A where a field does not apply so the reviewer knows you did not skip it.
Section 1 — License Type Box
The first box on page 1 asks you to check the license class you are applying for. Tick the box labeled Brew Pub License, not Class 1 Brewer or Class 3 Brewer, because checking the wrong class routes the file to the wrong examiner.
How to answer it: place a clear black “X” or checkmark inside the Brew Pub box and leave every other class box blank. Maria Lopez checks the box marked Brew Pub License and writes “New Application” in the margin to signal this is not a renewal. The nuance here is that some applicants who plan to also wholesale to distributors think they need a separate Class 3 Brewer license, but a brew pub may simultaneously hold a craft brewer license at a separate location under 235 ILCS 5/1-3.33.
A common mistake is checking both Brew Pub and Class 1 Brewer thinking that doubles your privileges, which causes the file to be returned for clarification and adds 30 days to processing. The misconception that “brewer” and “brew pub” are interchangeable is wrong; the legislature defined them as distinct license types with different gallonage caps and different fees.
Section 2 — Applicant Legal Name
This field asks for the exact legal name of the entity or person who will hold the license, not the trade name customers see on the door. Enter the name precisely as it appears on the Illinois Secretary of State Certificate of Good Standing, including punctuation, “LLC,” “Inc.,” or “L.P.”
Riverwalk Brewing LLC writes “RIVERWALK BREWING, LLC” in all caps with the comma before LLC to match its certificate. The edge case here is partnerships without a registered name — those filers enter the partners’ full legal names joined by “and,” like “John A. Smith and Jane B. Doe, a partnership.” A common mistake is using the doing-business-as name in this field, which causes the FEIN to mismatch and triggers a manual hold. Many applicants believe the trade name is the legal name; it is not, and the trade name belongs in the next field.
Section 3 — Doing Business As (DBA) / Trade Name
This field captures the public-facing brand name that will appear on signage, menus, and marketing. Enter the registered DBA exactly as filed with the county clerk under the Illinois Assumed Business Name Act.
Riverwalk Brewing LLC writes “Riverwalk Tap & Kettle” in this box because that is the trade name printed on its assumed-name certificate. The edge case is when the legal entity also uses its legal name as the trade name; in that scenario, repeat the legal name here rather than write Same as above. A common mistake is entering an unregistered DBA, which delays the file because Illinois requires the assumed name to be registered before the license issues. The misconception that the DBA is just a marketing label is wrong; it carries legal weight and must match local signage permits.
Section 4 — Premises Address
The premises address is the physical street address where brewing and retail sales will occur, and it must be a single contiguous location under 235 ILCS 5/6-11. Enter the street number, street name, suite or unit number, city, county, and ZIP code on the lines provided.
Marcus Chen writes “1422 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, Cook County, IL 60622” on the premises line. The edge case is a multi-unit building where the brewery occupies several suites; list each suite number separated by commas and attach a sketch showing the connection between them. A common mistake is using a P.O. Box, which the ILCC rejects on sight because a P.O. Box cannot be inspected. Some filers think the premises address can change after issuance with a quick email; it cannot, and any change of location requires a new application.
Section 5 — Mailing Address
The mailing address is where the ILCC sends license certificates, renewal notices, and deficiency letters, and it can be different from the premises address. Use a P.O. Box, an attorney’s office, or a corporate headquarters if you prefer not to receive sensitive mail at the brewery.
Aisha Patel writes “P.O. Box 4471, Oak Park, IL 60303” even though her premises is in Chicago. The edge case is multi-owner LLCs where each member wants a copy of mail; list one address only and have that person forward internally. A common mistake is leaving this field blank thinking the agency will use the premises address by default, which actually causes the file to bounce. The misconception that mailing address changes can be made by phone is wrong; the ILCC requires a written change-of-address form.
Section 6 — Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN)
This nine-digit number from the IRS identifies your business for tax purposes, and it must match the FEIN listed on your TTB Brewer’s Notice. Enter the number in the format printed on your IRS confirmation letter, usually XX-XXXXXXX.
Janet Okafor writes “36-4827193” exactly as the IRS letter shows it. The edge case is single-member LLCs that use the owner’s Social Security Number instead of a FEIN; the ILCC strongly prefers a FEIN and will request one if missing. A common mistake is transposing two digits, which causes a TTB cross-check failure and a 60-day delay. The misconception that the FEIN is optional for sole proprietors is wrong; the ILCC requires it for any entity that will employ workers or file federal excise tax returns.
Section 7 — Type of Ownership
This box asks you to identify the legal structure of the applicant: sole proprietor, partnership, corporation, LLC, or limited partnership. Check exactly one box and attach the corresponding ownership exhibit.
Riverwalk Brewing LLC checks “Limited Liability Company” and attaches its operating agreement and Articles of Organization. The edge case is series LLCs, which must check LLC and attach the certificate of designation for the specific series that holds the license. A common mistake is checking multiple boxes for hybrid entities, which forces the examiner to guess and slows the file. The misconception that ownership type is just a formality is wrong; it determines which disclosure pages you must complete and how the criminal background check is run.
Section 8 — Owner, Officer, Member, and Shareholder Disclosure
Every person with 5% or more ownership, every officer, every director, and every LLC manager must be listed on the disclosure pages. For each person, enter full legal name, home address, date of birth, Social Security Number, percentage of ownership, and position.
Riverwalk Brewing LLC lists “Maria Lopez, 442 Oak St., Wheaton, IL 60187, 03/14/1985, SSN on file, 60% Member-Manager” and “David Lopez, same address, 06/22/1983, SSN on file, 40% Member” on two separate lines. The edge case is trusts or holding companies that own a piece of the brew pub; you must disclose the natural persons behind the trust under 235 ILCS 5/6-2. The most common mistake on this entire form is omitting a silent investor with 5% or more, which is grounds for revocation even after issuance. The misconception that passive investors do not count is wrong; the statute disclosed anyone with a beneficial interest at or above the threshold.
Section 9 — Criminal History Questions
The form asks each disclosed person whether they have ever been convicted of a felony, a violation of the Liquor Control Act, or a crime of moral turpitude. Answer Yes or No for every named person, and attach a written explanation plus court documents for every Yes.
David Lopez answers “Yes” and attaches a 2009 misdemeanor DUI disposition with a one-page letter explaining rehabilitation. The edge case is sealed or expunged records; under Illinois law you do not have to disclose expunged records, but sealed records sometimes still appear on background checks and should be addressed proactively. A common mistake is answering No to save embarrassment when the background check will surface the conviction anyway, which is grounds for denial for false statement under 235 ILCS 5/6-3. The misconception that an old conviction automatically disqualifies you is wrong; the ILCC weighs rehabilitation, time elapsed, and relevance to alcohol regulation.
Section 10 — Premises Sketch and Diagram
The form requires a detailed sketch of the licensed premises showing where brewing, storage, serving, and dining will occur. Draw the sketch to approximate scale, label each room, mark all entrances and exits, and identify the location of the brewing equipment.
Marcus Chen attaches a one-page floor plan labeled “Brewhouse — 600 sq ft,” “Cold Storage — 200 sq ft,” “Bar — 800 sq ft,” “Dining — 1,500 sq ft,” with arrows showing customer flow. The edge case is outdoor beer gardens or rooftop service areas, which must be shown with a clear boundary line and noted as “Outdoor Service Area” with square footage. A common mistake is submitting a hand-drawn sketch with no measurements, which forces the examiner to request a redraw. The misconception that a Google Maps screenshot satisfies this requirement is wrong; the ILCC expects a true interior diagram.
Section 11 — Local Liquor License Confirmation
This box asks for the local liquor license number issued by the city, village, or county in which the premises sits, because Illinois requires a local license before the state license can issue. Enter the local license number, the issuing authority, and the expiration date.
Aisha Patel writes “City of Chicago License #1A-0046127, expires 04/30/2027” in this section. The edge case is unincorporated areas where the county acts as the local liquor authority; in those cases write the county name and the county license number. A common mistake is leaving this field blank because the local license is still pending; instead, attach the local application receipt and a letter from the local commissioner under 235 ILCS 5/4-1. The misconception that the state license can issue first is wrong; the statute is explicit that the local license comes first.
Section 12 — TTB Brewer’s Notice Number
The federal TTB Brewer’s Notice approval is a prerequisite, and this field captures your TTB-assigned brewery registration number. Enter the BR-XXX-XXXX number from your approved Notice.
Janet Okafor enters “BR-IL-21487” on this line. The edge case is a TTB application that is still pending; the ILCC will sometimes accept a copy of the filed TTB Form 5130.10 with proof of submission, but the state license will be held in abeyance until TTB issues. A common mistake is using the TTB permit number for a different facility, which the ILCC catches by cross-referencing the premises address. The misconception that state approval can precede federal approval is wrong; federal law preempts here.
Section 13 — Anticipated Production Volume
This field asks for the gallons of beer you plan to brew in your first year of operation, and the answer must be at or below the 155,000-gallon brew pub cap. Enter a realistic estimate based on your brewhouse size and projected sales.
Marcus Chen writes “12,000 gallons projected — Year 1” based on his 7-barrel brewhouse running 32 batches. The edge case is applicants who plan to ramp from a small pilot to a larger system mid-year; estimate the average and add a note explaining the ramp. A common mistake is overstating the projection to look ambitious, which can trigger questions about whether you really qualify as a brew pub rather than a Class 1 or 2 Brewer. The misconception that the gallonage figure is non-binding is partially wrong; while the ILCC will not penalize a reasonable miss, dramatic deviations can prompt audits.
Section 14 — Signature and Sworn Statement
The final page is signed under penalty of perjury under 235 ILCS 5/7-5, and every person required to sign must do so in the presence of a notary public. Sign in blue or black ink and have the notary affix the seal and signature.
Maria Lopez signs “Maria Lopez, Member-Manager,” dates the signature 05/12/2026, and the notary stamps the page. The edge case is electronic notarization through the Illinois Remote Online Notarization program, which the ILCC accepts when the notarization certificate complies with the Illinois Notary Public Act. A common mistake is signing before the notary watches you sign, which voids the notarization. The misconception that any signature suffices is wrong; an unsworn application is treated as never filed.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
The three scenarios below represent the most common Illinois brew pub fact patterns based on ILCC filing trends. Each one walks a named filer through the major sections of the application from start to finish.
Scenario 1 — Maria Lopez, Suburban Single-Location Brew Pub
Maria is opening a 7-barrel brew pub in a Wheaton strip mall under a 5-year lease. Her LLC has two members and projects 12,000 gallons in year one.
| Form Section | What Maria Enters |
|---|---|
| License Type | Brew Pub License (new application) |
| Applicant Legal Name | Riverwalk Brewing, LLC |
| DBA / Trade Name | Riverwalk Tap & Kettle |
| Premises Address | 442 Oak St., Wheaton, DuPage County, IL 60187 |
| Mailing Address | Same as premises |
| FEIN | 36-4827193 |
| Ownership Type | Limited Liability Company |
| Owner Disclosure | Maria Lopez 60%, David Lopez 40% |
| Criminal History | No for both members |
| Local License | City of Wheaton #LL-2026-118 |
| Anticipated Volume | 12,000 gallons Year 1 |
| Signature | Maria Lopez, Member-Manager, notarized 05/12/2026 |
Scenario 2 — Marcus Chen, Chicago Restaurant Adding a Brewhouse
Marcus already operates a Wicker Park restaurant on a Chicago Consumption on Premises license and wants to add a 5-barrel brewhouse and serve house beer alongside food.
| Form Section | What Marcus Enters |
|---|---|
| License Type | Brew Pub License (new) |
| Applicant Legal Name | Milwaukee Avenue Hospitality, Inc. |
| DBA / Trade Name | Six Corners Tap House |
| Premises Address | 1422 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, Cook County, IL 60622 |
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 5572, Chicago, IL 60622 |
| FEIN | 47-2918374 |
| Ownership Type | Corporation (S-Corp election) |
| Owner Disclosure | Marcus Chen 80% President, Lee Chen 20% Secretary |
| Premises Sketch | Floor plan showing brewhouse 600 sf, cold storage 200 sf, bar/dining 2,300 sf |
| Local License | City of Chicago #1A-0046127 |
| TTB Notice | BR-IL-21487 |
| Anticipated Volume | 8,500 gallons Year 1 |
Scenario 3 — Aisha Patel and Janet Okafor, Two-Owner Startup Partnership
Aisha and Janet are launching a brand-new brew pub in Oak Park as equal partners through a newly formed LLC, with Janet contributing brewing experience and Aisha contributing capital.
| Form Section | What They Enter |
|---|---|
| License Type | Brew Pub License (new) |
| Applicant Legal Name | Lake Street Fermentations, LLC |
| DBA / Trade Name | Lake Street Brewing Co. |
| Premises Address | 118 Lake St., Oak Park, Cook County, IL 60302 |
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 4471, Oak Park, IL 60303 |
| FEIN | 88-1273645 |
| Ownership Type | Limited Liability Company |
| Owner Disclosure | Aisha Patel 50% Manager, Janet Okafor 50% Manager |
| Criminal History | No for both |
| Local License | Village of Oak Park #2026-OPL-44 |
| Source of Funds | Patel personal capital $250,000; Okafor SBA loan $150,000 |
| Anticipated Volume | 6,000 gallons Year 1 |
How to File the Completed Form
Once every page is signed and every attachment is gathered, you can file the Brew Pub License application through three channels. Pick the channel that fits your timeline, your comfort with technology, and your local requirements.
Online via MyTax Illinois: Create an account at the MyTax Illinois portal, upload the signed PDF and every exhibit, and pay the $1,500 initial license fee (or the $1,200 online renewal fee) by ACH or credit card under 235 ILCS 5/5-3. The portal issues a confirmation number you should screenshot and save. Processing typically takes 60 to 90 days from a complete file, and the portal shows real-time status.
By mail: Send the original signed application and exhibits to the Illinois Liquor Control Commission, 300 W. Jefferson St., Suite 300, Springfield, IL 62702, with a check or money order for $1,500 made payable to the Illinois Liquor Control Commission. Use certified mail with return receipt so you have proof of filing. Mail processing runs 75 to 120 days because the file must be scanned in before review.
In person: Walk the file into the Chicago office at 50 W. Washington St., Suite 209, or the Springfield office, where intake staff will stamp your copy as proof of filing. Bring two copies — one to leave and one to keep stamped. In-person filing does not speed up review, but it eliminates mail loss risk and lets you ask intake staff to flag obvious problems on the spot.
Keep your stamped or electronic proof of filing for at least seven years, because Illinois Department of Revenue audits can reach back that far for excise tax purposes.
What Happens After You File
After filing, the ILCC assigns a file number and routes the application to a licensing examiner who reviews the disclosure pages, runs the criminal background checks, and verifies the local license. Expect an acknowledgement letter or portal status update within 10 to 15 business days; if you do not see one by day 20, call the licensing division at 312-814-2206 in Chicago or 217-782-2136 in Springfield.
If the examiner finds gaps, you will receive a deficiency letter listing every missing item with a 30-day response window. You can usually request one 30-day extension in writing, but a second extension is rare and a non-response closes the file. Once the file is complete, the ILCC schedules an inspection of the premises by a state agent who confirms the sketch matches reality and the brewing equipment is installed.
After a successful inspection and a clean background check, the Commission issues the license certificate and mails it to your mailing address. The license is valid for one year from the date of issuance and must be posted in a conspicuous location on the premises under 235 ILCS 5/6-7. Renewal notices arrive about 60 days before expiration through MyTax Illinois.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
These are the errors ILCC examiners cite most often, and each one can add 30 to 90 days to your processing time.
- Using the DBA in the Legal Name field — causes a Secretary of State mismatch and a manual hold.
- Omitting an investor with 5% or more interest — grounds for denial or post-issuance revocation under 235 ILCS 5/6-2.
- Submitting a hand-drawn sketch without measurements — examiner will demand a redraw and pause review.
- Filing before the local liquor license is issued — automatic deficiency under 235 ILCS 5/4-1.
- Forgetting to notarize the signature page — treated as never filed.
- Answering “No” to a criminal history question that the background check will reveal — denial for false statement.
- Using a P.O. Box as the premises address — premises must be inspectable, so this is rejected on sight.
- Transposing digits in the FEIN — TTB cross-check fails and the file stalls 60 days.
- Checking both Brew Pub and Class 1 Brewer boxes — examiner returns the form for clarification.
- Overstating projected gallonage above 155,000 — disqualifies you from the brew pub class entirely.
- Submitting without source-of-funds documentation — common in Chicago files and triggers a written request.
- Failing to attach the TTB Brewer’s Notice — file held in abeyance until federal approval is shown.
Do’s and Don’ts
A short list of habits that separate clean files from messy ones.
Do’s
- Do download a fresh copy of the form on filing day because revision dates change and old versions are rejected.
- Do answer every field, writing N/A where it does not apply, because blank fields look like skipped fields.
- Do attach a clean cover letter listing every exhibit, because it helps the examiner check completeness fast.
- Do call the ILCC licensing division before filing if you have any unusual ownership structure, because a five-minute call beats a 60-day deficiency.
- Do keep a complete duplicate file with the stamped proof of filing, because the ILCC occasionally misplaces exhibits.
- Do disclose every prior conviction even if expunged seems to apply, because honesty almost always beats omission.
Don’ts
- Don’t sign before the notary watches you sign, because the notarization is void and the file is treated as unsigned.
- Don’t submit a Google Maps screenshot as your premises sketch, because the ILCC requires interior detail.
- Don’t pay the fee in cash by mail, because the agency will not accept it and your file will sit.
- Don’t rely on the trade name to satisfy the legal name field, because the FEIN cross-check will fail.
- Don’t assume the state license will issue before the local license, because Illinois law requires the local first.
- Don’t ignore a deficiency letter past 30 days, because the file will be closed and the fee forfeited.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
Whether you DIY or hire a liquor licensing attorney depends on the complexity of your ownership and your tolerance for delay.
Pros of filing on your own
- Lower out-of-pocket cost because attorney fees for a clean brew pub file run $2,500 to $7,500.
- Direct knowledge of your business that no outside professional can replicate.
- Faster early drafts when ownership is simple and you can answer every disclosure question first-hand.
- Stronger learning curve for renewals because you will renew this license every year.
- Control over the timeline without waiting for an attorney’s calendar.
Cons of filing on your own
- Higher risk of a deficiency letter that adds 30 to 90 days to your opening date.
- Easy to miss the silent-investor disclosure rule under 235 ILCS 5/6-2.
- No buffer between you and the ILCC if a criminal history question gets complicated.
- Local-license coordination is hard especially in Chicago, where the city process is its own maze.
- No malpractice insurance backup if a mistake costs you the license.
FAQs
Is the Brew Pub License the same as a Class 3 Brewer License?
No. A brew pub manufactures and sells beer at retail on the same premises up to 155,000 gallons per year, while a Class 3 Brewer manufactures up to 465,000 gallons solely for sale to a distributor.
Do I need a federal TTB Brewer’s Notice before applying for the state license?
Yes. The ILCC will not issue the Brew Pub License until the TTB Brewer’s Notice is approved or actively pending with proof of filing.
Can a brew pub also wholesale beer to distributors in Illinois?
No. A brew pub may only sell from its licensed premises, but the same owner may simultaneously hold a separate craft brewer license at a different location.
What is the current Brew Pub License fee?
Yes, there is a fee — $1,500 for an initial license and $1,200 for an online renewal under 235 ILCS 5/5-3, payable to the Illinois Liquor Control Commission.
Do I write my legal name or my DBA in the Applicant Name field?
No, never the DBA. Write the exact legal entity name from your Secretary of State certificate, with the DBA going in the trade name box.
In Section 8, do I have to disclose a passive investor with 6% ownership?
Yes. Anyone with a 5% or greater beneficial interest must be disclosed and fingerprinted, and silent or passive ownership does not exempt the investor.
Can I list a P.O. Box as the premises address?
No. The premises must be a physical, inspectable location; P.O. Boxes are accepted only for the mailing address.
What if I have an old DUI from 2009 — do I have to disclose it in Section 9?
Yes. Disclose every conviction that has not been expunged, attach the disposition, and write a brief rehabilitation letter; the ILCC weighs context, not just the fact of conviction.
Can the ILCC issue the state license before my city or village issues the local license?
No. 235 ILCS 5/4-1 requires the local license first, so attach the local license number or a pending receipt with a commissioner’s letter.
Is online filing through MyTax Illinois faster than paper filing?
Yes. MyTax submissions are usually processed in 60 to 90 days, while mailed paper files run 75 to 120 days because intake staff must scan them first.
Do I need to renew the Brew Pub License every year?
Yes. The license expires one year from issuance, and the ILCC sends renewal notices through MyTax Illinois about 60 days before expiration.
Can I sell my brew pub beer at a farmer’s market?
No. The Brew Pub License only authorizes sales from the licensed premises, although a separately held Special Event Retailer license can permit off-site sales at qualifying events.
What happens if I operate before the license issues?
No brewing or sales of self-brewed beer may occur before issuance, and operating without the license is a Class A misdemeanor under the Illinois Liquor Control Act plus grounds for permanent disqualification.
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