Business License Renewal Application

WE HAVE A NEW ONLINE APPLICATION SYSTEM & PROCESS!

Dear Valued Calumet City Business Owner and Licensee:

The Business License Renewal Season is here! Your 2025 City of Calumet City Business License expires December 31, 2025. The 2026 Business License online renewal application process is now open. The online application, $150.00 application fee, and supporting documents are due before December 31, 2025. The $150.00 application fee is NOT your business license certificate fee.

2026 Business License Renewal Submission Instructions:

• Step 1: Submit $150.00 application fee online. This fee is non-refundable!
• Step 2: Visit: Calumet City eTrakit and log into your account.
  • Step 2.1: Create an account (first-time users only).
  • Step 2.2: Click “Setup an Account” and complete the account creation.
  • Step 2.3: Once complete, click “Dashboard” then click “Link to Permit’s and Licenses”.
    • Note* If you do not know your Business License ID, please use the “Search Licenses” module.
• Step 3: After successfully linking your Business License, you will click the RENEW icon in “My Licenses For Renewal” Section.
  • “Step 1 Confirm Renewal Eligibility”, review your License Details and proceed by clicking “Renew License”
  • “Step 2 Update General License Details”, answer all of the questions and attach all required documents!
    • If a question does not apply to you, use N/A.
  • “Step 3 Current Step Contact Information”, enter up-to-date contact information for the renewed business.
  • “Step 4 Current Step Review & Payment”
    • NOTE: Do Not Click “Next Step”. At this time, we are not accepting online payments on eTrakit.
      • Proceeding to the next step will lead you to a payment testing environment.
• Step 4: Your application is submitted and will be in the reviewal process. Any additional information required will appear in the “My Submittals Awaiting Response” of your Dashboard.

2026 Renewal Checklist:

• Step 1: Business owner valid photo ID
• Step 2: Emergency contact valid photo ID
• Step 3: Copy of current, signed lease agreement.
  • If your lease term is five (5) years or more, and you have previously submitted said lease agreement, please note this on your application and provide the lease term expiration date and year. You do not need to resubmit the entire lease agreement.
• Step 4: Copy of valid certificate of insurance
• Step 5: Copy of valid certificate of Good Standing
• Step 6: Copy of valid Illinois Sales Tax certificate (Certificate of Registration)
• Step 7: Two (2) most recent years of paid property taxes if you are property owner
• Step 8: Any other required certificates or licenses (e.g., barber license, cosmetology license, food handling certificate, daycare etc.)

Submitting Business License Renewal Application Information:

• The application and supporting documents must be submitted in PDF format.
• Hard copies will not be accepted.
• Please review your application for accuracy and completeness prior to submission.
• Please review your supporting documents for validity. Do not submit expired leases and certificates.
• Applications with incomplete answers and/or expired documents will not be accepted and will be returned.

Confirm Receipt of Business License Inspection Date.

• Business License inspections are ANNUAL.
• A representative of the business must be on the premises at the time of inspection.
• An inspection, no call, no show, will result in a $150.00 fine.
• If you fail your Business License inspection, you must comply and schedule a reinspection within 30 days.
  • Failure to schedule a reinspection within the 30 days will incur a fine of $500.00.
  • Failure to schedule a reinspection within 60 days will incur a separate fine of $750.00.
• Your annual Business License inspection must be completed and passed before your Business License Certificate is issued.

Confirm receipt of Business License Certificate invoice.

• You will receive a Business License Certificate invoice via email with payment submission instructions!
• Business License Certificate fee payment is due within seven (7) days of invoice notification.
• Failure to submit payment by February 28, 2026, will incur a fifty percent (50%) late fee of the total Business License Certificate fee.

Submit Business License Certificate fee payment in-person at the Calumet City Clerk’s Office or by mailed check.

The certificate fee CANNOT be paid online.

• If you want the Business License Certificate to be mailed to you, please provide us with a pre-paid Fed Ex label or pre-paid UPS label.
• The Business License certificate must be displayed in a conspicuous interior location of the business establishment within 30 days of receipt of payment.