Pritzker signs bill legalizing cocktails to-go

06/05/2020

Legal cocktails to-go give bars and restaurants a new avenue to serve customers through delivery and pickup service.

TAGS: alcohol tax, licensing, regulations, Two Brothers Brewing

Food truck, mobile boutique regulations loosened by Chicago City Council

01/22/2020

The new ordinance backed by Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot allows food trucks and other mobile entrepreneurs to operate with more freedom on city streets.

TAGS: Chicago, Chicago City Council, cronyism, entrepreneurs, food trucks, licensing, Lori Lightfoot, regulations

Illinois lawmakers pass marijuana legalization

By Vincent Caruso

05/31/2019

A bill that would legalize recreational marijuana in Illinois is en route to the highest office in the state.

TAGS: criminal justice reform, expungement, Kelly Cassidy, legalization, licensing, marijuana, regulations

Illinois ‘license to landscape’ bill is a pure protection racket

By Austin Berg

05/03/2019

Licensing should be the last resort. Instead, in the case of the landscape architects, it appears to be a grab for a different kind of green.

TAGS: employment, jobs, licensing, occupational licensing, unemployment

With 517 laws passed last year, odds are some will help Illinois taxpayers in 2019

12/19/2018

New Year brings new laws as the 100thGeneral Assembly ends. Here are a few wins for Illinois taxpayers.

TAGS: ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, licensing, local government consolidation, occupational licensing, pensions, regulations, school district consolidation

Bill amending prohibitive liquor licensing law goes to governor’s desk

06/04/2018

The measure would relax statewide restrictions on liquor licensure and encourage local control.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, licensing, Liquor Control Act, liquor laws, small business

Senate bill would require regulators to jump more hurdles before imposing new licensing restrictions

By Vincent Caruso

05/07/2018

Regulatory regimes in Illinois often discourage workforce participation without enhancing public welfare. One Senate bill, however, would require regulators to demonstrate the necessity of new rules before imposing them on workers.

TAGS: Chicago, food trucks, licensing, Lisa Creason, occupational licensing, Pam Althoff, regulations, Scott Bennett, Tom Demmer

Study: Chicago’s regulatory roadblocks stifle the city’s food trucks

By Vincent Caruso

03/27/2018

The country is enjoying a food truck boom, but overbearing regulations threaten the industry. According to a new study, Chicago’s regulatory burden is among the worst.

TAGS: Chicago, food trucks, licensing, regulations

Belleville City Council to consider fee hikes

By Austin Berg

03/03/2018

Some businesses would see license fees double, among other fee hikes meant to shore up city finances.

TAGS: Belleville, fees, licensing, liquor laws, taxes

6 highlights from Illinois criminal justice commission’s final report

By Hilary Gowins

01/20/2017

The criminal justice commission’s recommendations work toward providing more opportunity for ex-offenders and reducing the state’s prison population.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, criminal justice reform, Illinois State Commission on Criminal Justice and Sentencing Reform, licensing, occupational licensing