The agencies state $7,710 in initial fees across 5 of the 12 items; 3 are free; 4 are set by the city, the county or a provider. Rent, build-out and equipment come on top and depend on the space.
How much does it cost to open a bar in Illinois?
$7,710 in state fees the agencies state, across 5 of the 12 licenses, permits and registrations; 3 are free; 4 are set by the city, the county or a provider. Rent, build-out and equipment come on top.
What the state publishes for a bar in Illinois
Every row checked against its agency’s page; the latest on Oct 17, 2026.
- Stated state fees
- $7,710initial fees across 5 of 12 items
- Free items
- 3no fee as the agency publishes it
- Set elsewhere
- 4by the city, the county or a provider
- Items in all
- 12in the order to get them
Initial fees as each agency states them, summed; renewals are not included. Where a fee depends on size or sales the range is the lowest to the highest stated. Members see each row’s fee, its renewal and the official page.
Set up the business
Item Agency Fee Articles of organization (LLC) or an assumed business name Illinois Secretary of State Premium only Employer Identification Number (EIN) Internal Revenue Service Free Register for tax
Item Agency Fee Illinois business registration (Form REG-1) for sales tax Illinois Department of Revenue Free Approve the space
Item Agency Fee Certificate of occupancy or occupancy approval Your city or county building department Premium only Get the permits for your kind of business
Item Agency Fee Retail food establishment license Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection Premium only Certified food protection manager on site Illinois Department of Public Health Premium only Food handler training for every food employee Illinois Department of Public Health Premium only Allergen awareness training for certified managers Illinois Department of Public Health Premium only Alcohol permits
Item Agency Fee Local liquor license Your city or county liquor commission Premium only State retailer’s liquor license Illinois Liquor Control Commission Premium only BASSET certification for everyone who checks ID, sells or serves Illinois Liquor Control Commission licensed trainers Premium only Before the first hire
Item Agency Fee Unemployment insurance account (Form REG-UI-1) Illinois Department of Employment Security Free
What comes on top of the fees
The state publishes its fees; the space sets the rest. These work it out from your own numbers.
- Rent the business can carryMonthly sales, or seats and average check, to the base rent that fits a healthy occupancy share.Rent-to-sales calculator
- The real cost of a NNN leaseBase rent plus CAM, property taxes and insurance, each month.NNN lease calculator
- The steps in orderThe same items as a walk-through you tick off, with progress saved to your account.How to open
Fees are shown to members as published. Create an account.
Sources and dates
Illinois Secretary of State LLC pages; Form LLC-1.20; Cook County Clerk assumed business name page; IRS EIN page; Illinois Department of Revenue business registration page; City of Chicago Department of Buildings certificates of occupancy page and 2025 permit fee tables; City of Chicago retail food establishment license page; IDPH local health department directory; IDPH certified food protection manager page; IDPH food handler training page; IDPH food allergen awareness training FAQ; City of Chicago classes of liquor licenses page; ILCC retailer’s liquor license application; ILCC BASSET bulletin and local ordinance survey; IDES new employer page. Fees are as published by each agency on the date checked; cities and counties add their own.