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Liquor Licenses

(847) 448-4311 liquorlicense@cityofevanston.org

Liquor License Information and Applications

Liquor Licenses Requirement

  • It is unlawful to sell, manufacture, bottle, blend, possess on the premises, or offer for sale in the City of Evanston any liquor without having a liquor license.

  • This includes one-day events on private property. Any exchange of money relative to alcohol being offered for consumption is considered a “sale.”  This includes fundraisers, entrance fees, and ticket sales. Applicants should complete a Z1 or Z2 license application. 

  • This includes one-day events on city-owned property at which alcohol will be served. Applicants should complete a Z3 or Z4 license application.

City Liquor Control Code and Illinois State Resources

Home Rule Liquor Tax

Home Rule Taxes 

  • A 6% tax is levied by the City on the privilege of purchasing alcoholic liquor from a lawfully licensed liquor dealer.
  • Tax worksheets are due on the 20th day of the calendar month succeeding the end of the monthly filing period. A late fee of 10% per month delinquent is added for late payments. They can be filed online, in person or by mail.
  • We strongly encourage you to pay your  monthly liquor tax  return payments online.
  • If you are paying in person or via mail click here. 
  • Additional information can be found on the Home Rule Tax webpage.
  • Please direct all questions and concerns to the Revenue Office at (847) 448.4311

One-Day Liquor License Applications

Non-City Owned Property 

You can also submit your Z1/Z2 application/payment online 

Important:  Please note that the Law Department is closed  to the public, and Security Officers are not authorized to accept applications/payments. Additionally, the Revenue Office will not  accept one-day license applications/payments. For your convenience, a drop box is located in front of City Hall for submissions. Please submit your one-day applications in advance.

Invoices will only be generated for businesses that need a copy for their records. 

City Owned Property 

Parks and Recreation facility coordinators will be able to assist you with renting spaces at one of the city owned properties.

Z3 and Z4 licenses should be completed and returned to a Parks and Recreations coordinator.  Click here for the Permits and Rentals information.

Fundraiser Notification Form

  • For use by Class C-1 licensees only that are hosting fundraisers at their place of business

  • Fundraiser Class C-1 Notification Form (Only for use by Class C-1 Licensees Hosting Fundraisers)

Liquor License Applications/Renewals

New Applications

Please complete the liquor application if you are applying for the following:

  • New business

  • Change of ownership/corporation

  • Change of license class

PDF Liquor Application

Please email your liquor license application to liquorlicense@cityofevanston.org.

Annual Liquor Renewals 

Annual renewal paperwork will  be emailed to the address our office has on file two months prior to the license expiration date. If you need to update your businesses email address please notify our office liquorlicense@cityofevanston.org

You can either submit via mail or online 

Annual Renewal Checklist 

Mailing Address:

Attn: Liquor Licensing
909 Davis St., 3rd FL
Evanston, IL 60201

Important:  Please note that the Law Department is closed  to the public, and Security Officers are not authorized to accept renewal packets and payments. Additionally, the Revenue Office will not  collect renewal packets. For your convenience, a drop box is located in front of City Hall for submissions.

Changes in Site Manager/Corporate Structure

General Information:

  • Any changes in Site Managers or partnerships, officers, directors, persons holding directly or beneficially more than five (5) percent of the stock or ownership interest, of establishments licensed under this Chapter, shall be reported in writing to the local liquor control commissioner within ten (10) days of the change. 

  • Site Managers and each shareholder owner with 5% or greater interest in the business is required to complete a background form and submit for fingerprints. Below are links to the necessary forms.

  • You must complete both fingerprinting and background form

Fingerprinting:

  • Fingerprinting Process Fees may be paid online via this link. You will receive an email confirmation with instructions on how to schedule a fingerprint appointment. The email should advise you of the following:   

  • After you have paid online, you should schedule a fingerprinting session by contacting the Evanston Police Department at (847) 866-5020 and anyone there can assist you with getting scheduled for a fingerprinting session. The Evanston Police Department is located at 1454 Elmwood Ave, Evanston, IL 60201. 

Background Form:

  • Shareholder/Site Manager Background FORM. 

Change of shareholders/Corporate Structure

  • Any change in shareholder (5% interest or more) requires a revised CORPORATION INFORMATION FORM. Use ONLY for Changes in partnerships, officers, directors, shareholder or owners

  • Please submit within ten (10) days of change taking place.

Basset Training Information

  • All Owners, Managers, and Servers must be BASSET trained 

  • BASSET training courses are offered online and in-person by state-certified trainers

  • The alcohol sellers/server (BASSET certified) course is approved by the Illinois Liquor Control Commission

  • For more information please visit the Illinois Liquor Control Commission's BASSET page found here. 

  • For a list of  BASSET certified courses, please click here.