Liquor License Information

The office of the 48th ward aims to provide a transparent and efficient process for assessing Liquor License applications. To learn more about how we assess liquor license applications, please see below.

Lift Liquor Moratorium & Apply for a Liquor License

If you are applying for a liquor license in an area that currently has a liquor moratorium, the moratorium will need to be lifted before proceeding. Here are the steps:

  1. Call or email the 48th Ward Director of Development to discuss business plans and intentions.

  2. Meet with Chamber of Commerce, neighborhood-based organizations, and adjacent public institutions (if applicable) and request letters of support.

  3. Provide Plan of Operation and letters of support to the alderwoman’s office.

  4. Alderwoman Manaa-Hoppenworth reviews letters of support and Plan of Operation, and makes her recommendation. 

  5. If approved, the alderwoman submits an ordinance to lift the liquor moratorium, and the City Council votes on whether or not to pass it. 

  6. Submit liquor license applications through the Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP); BACP reviews and sends them to the alderwoman. The alderwoman’s office has 35 days to respond. 

  7. Alderwoman Manaa-Hoppenworth either writes a letter of support or recommends the denial of the license.

Liquor License Application (no moratorium in place)

If you are applying for a liquor license in an area where there is not currently a liquor moratorium, the procedure to apply for a license is as follows:

  1. Submit liquor license applications through the Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP); BACP reviews and sends them to the alderwoman. The alderwoman’s office has 35 days to respond. 

  2. Meet with Chamber of Commerce, neighborhood-based organizations, and adjacent public institutions (if applicable) and request letters of support.

  3. Provide Plan of Operation and letters of support to the alderwoman’s office.

  4. After reviewing the submitted materials, Alderwoman Manaa-Hoppenworth either writes a letter of support or recommends the denial of the license.