Liquor License 

Annual Liquor Licenses and Temporary Liquor Licenses can soon be applied for and renewed using ezAPP.  Annual Renewals, including payment and document submittals, are due by May 31st of each year. The annual license term is from June 1st to May 31st. 

New Liquor License Timeline

Applying for and being granted a new Crystal Lake Liquor license is comprised of a four-step process:

1. Staff interview/discussion about your business needs and community expectations.
2. Completion and review of the license application.
3. Creation of the license by the City Council.
4. Issuance of the license to applicant following completion of necessary requirements.

City Council Meetings are held on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month. Review of the application must be completed seven business days prior to the next council meeting.

Liquor License Applications

• Standard Liquor - Please apply using the ezAPP Portal
• Class 16 Temporary
• Class 19 Temporary
• Class 20 Temporary
• Class 30 Temporary

Liquor License Resources

• Standard Instructions
• Temporary Instructions
• ILCC News: BASSET Update
• Criminal History Background Check Authorization Form
• Annual Liquor License Classifications
• Temporary Liquor License Classifications 
• Happy Hour: BASSET Laws
• IMPACT Program

Video Gaming License - Initial applications must be submitted in person. Annual Renewals, including payment and document submittals, are due by May 31st. The license term for businesses with machines is from June 1st to May 31st. The license term for businesses with a terminal permit and/or terminal operator is from January 1st to December 31st. 

Video Gaming License Applications

• Video Gaming
• Class 28 Supplemental
• Terminal Operator
• Additional Gaming Machines

Video Gaming License Resources

• Instructions and FAQ's
• Terminal Operator Instructions and FAQ's

Raffle License - Each license is valid for one raffle or for a specified number of raffles to be conducted during a specified period not to exceed one year.

What warrants you to hold a raffle?

• The organization is a bona fide religious, charitable, labor, fraternal, educational or veteran organizations that operate without profit to their members and which have been in existence continuously for a period of five years immediately before making application for a license and which have been during that entire five-year period a bona fide membership engaged in carrying out their objects, or to a nonprofit fund-raising organization that the licensing authority determines is organized for the sole purpose of providing financial assistance to an identified individual or group of individuals suffering extreme financial hardship as the result of an illness, disability, accident or disaster.
• Applicant has never been convicted of a felony.
• Applicant follows the requirements of the City Code (Chapter 408) to conduct a raffle.

Raffle License Applications

• Raffle License
• Additional Raffle

Raffle License Resources

• Facts and Questions

Cigarette License - Annual license which is valid June 1st - May 31st (Includes cigarettes, cigars, pipes, tobacco, snuff chewing tobacco or dipping tobacco, and electronic cigarettes.) An annual Cigarette License can be applied for and renewed online. 

What warrants you to hold a cigarette license?

• Applicant follows the requirements of the City Code (Chapter 203) to sell tobacco products.

Cigarette License Application

• Cigarette License

Amusement License - Annual license which is valid June 1st - May 31st. An Amusement License can be applied for and renewed online. 

What warrants you to hold an amusement license?

• Applicant follows the requirements of the City Code (Chapter 162) to have amusement devices.

Amusement License Application

• Amusement License

Commercial Refuse License  

Commercial Refuse License can be applied for and renewed online.
To access the application, please click on the following link:
Refuse Collection Service License


Driver Background Check 

*Required to obtain an Ice Cream or Taxicab License.

• A criminal background fingerprint check will be performed through the office of the Chief of Police, or his/her designee, through the Illinois State Police, Bureau of Identification, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s database systems.
• A fee of $50 shall be paid for each individual for whom a background investigation must be conducted. 
• Please contact the Crystal Lake Police Department to schedule a background fingerprint check at (815) 356-3620.

To access the form, please click on the following link: 
Background Check Authorization Form


Going out of Business Sale License

To access the application, please click on the following link:
Going out of Business Sale License


Ice Cream License 

License is valid April 1st - October 15^th. Ice Cream License can be applied for and renewed online. As part of the application and renewal process, a background check will be conducted. Please view the Driver Background Check section above for additional information.

What warrants you to hold an ice cream license?

• Applicant is a person of character.
• Applicant has not been convicted of a felony within the past 5 years or must register as a sex offender as required by the Sex Offender Registration Act, 730 ILCS 150.
• The ice cream vehicle operated bears a state license duly issued, and is equipped with proper brakes, lights, tires, horn, muffler, rear vision mirror, and windshield wipers in good condition.
• Applicant follows the requirements of the City Code (Chapter 504, Article II) to operate an ice cream vendor business.

Hours of Operation

• Between the hours of 12:00 PM and 8:00 PM or dusk, whichever is earlier, during the license period.

Streets on which sales are prohibited

• Ackman Road, Crystal Lake Avenue, Dole Avenue, Hillside Road, Huntley Road, Main Street, McHenry Avenue, Miller Road, North Avenue, Oak Street north of Route 176, Pingree Road, Rakow Road, Randall Road, Route 14, Route 176, Route 31, Sands Road, Swanson Road, Teckler Boulevard, Terra Cotta Road, Three Oaks Road, Virginia Road, and Walkup Avenue.
  
  

Sidewalk Sale License 

For use by a business or businesses that wish to conduct a sidewalk sale. The sale has a four day limit. An application may need the approval of the shopping center owner.

To access the application, please click on the following link: 
Sidewalk Sale Application


Taxicab License

 License is valid June 1st - May 31^st.

What warrants you to hold a taxicab license?

• Applicant is a person of good character.
• Applicant has not been convicted of a felony within the past 5 years or must register as a sex offender as required by the Sex Offender Registration Act, 730 ILCS 150.
• The vehicle operated bears a state license duly issued, and meets all requirements of the Illinois Taxi Safety Act of 2007, 625 ILCS 55/1 et seq.
• Applicant follows the requirements of the City Code (Chapter 470) to operate a taxicab.

To access the application, please click on the following link:
Taxicab License Application

As part of the application and renewal process, a background check will be conducted. Please view the Driver Background Check section above for additional information.

Passenger Bus License

One license is valid per disembarkation of passengers and only on the date, at the time, and in the location set forth in the License.  Fees and taxes per license are listed in the application materials. 

To access the application, please click on the following link:
Passenger Bus License Application