Morrison's Bill For Illinois To Create Business Licensing Website Passes

All permit and license applications required to open a business in Illinois will be found on one centralized website beginning in 2017 thanks to the passage of Senate Bill 659.

The new law will allow prospective business owners convenience in finding those items in addition to see if they qualify for any economic development programs. Currently, they need to visit several different state and local government websites and contact state agencies to fill out all the necessary forms.

“We should be making it easier to open small businesses in Illinois,” said Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield), the measure’s sponsor. “The practice of requiring entrepreneurs to navigate dozens of websites has to stop.”

Morrison’s plan was inspired by the state of New York’s business license website, where entrepreneurs start by selecting the type of business they would like to open, then answer a series of questions and, upon completion, provided with links to all of the forms they need to fill out and any additional information they requested.

Illinois’ new business licensing website will be operated by the state’s Department of Commerce and Opportunity. The agency will update the site at least once every year.