Welcome! We’re glad you’re interested in obtaining a Catering Liquor License in the City of Bloomington. To help guide you through the process, we’ve outlined each step below so you’ll know what to expect from application to final approval.

Step 1: Submit Application
Submit a completed application and all required documents.

Step 2: Receive Invoice
A City Clerk staff member will email an invoice for:

1. $100 application fee

Step 3: Pay Fees
Once the fee is paid, your application moves into departmental review.

Step 4: Application Review

• Departments review your application.
  • You will be emailed if additional information or clarification is needed. If you do not receive an email, your application is still under review.

Step 5: Final Processing
If approved, you'll receive an email with an invoice for the license fee ($100 per event) and information for how to pay.

Once the license fee is paid, the license will be emailed to you.

Step 6: Next Steps
Once you hold a City of Bloomington Liquor License, you must use that license to apply for a State of Illinois Special Use Liquor License. Once you hold both a Local and State license, you are permitted to serve as your license permits.

The State of IL can be contacted at https://ilccportal.illinois.gov/s/. 

To support you during the application process, we’ve provided the documents below. Please review them before submitting a license application.

• Catering vs. Secondary Premises FAQ - This document can help applicants identify which license type is best for them.

• Application Document Checklist - This document includes a checklist of all items required for your application.

• Example Certificate of Liquor Liability - This example shows what needs to be included on your Certificate of Liquor Liability (DRAM) when you submit it.

• Example Bond - This example shows what needs to be included on your Bond when you submit it.

For your application to be considered complete, the form must be fully filled out and all required documents must be attached to the online application. Missing or incomplete items may delay your application review.

If anything is missing or incorrect, you will receive an email explaining what needs to be corrected.

Required Documents for Submission (must be attached to your application)

• Driver’s License Copies (front only) - Required for all applicants, owners, partners, officers with over 20% interest and all general managers. Photo must be clear and fully visible.

• For LLCs and Corporations - Articles of Incorporation (Corp) or Articles of Organization (LLC)

• Copy of Local Liquor License where Establishment's Primary Liquor License is held.

• Certificate of Liability Insurance (not the policy declarations) - Must include:
  • Applicant’s name
  • DBA/Assumed name (if applicable)
  • Establishment address
  • Coverage dates and limits
  • City of Bloomington listed as Additional Insured
  • Certificate Holder: City of Bloomington, 115 E. Washington St., Bloomington, IL 61701

Example Certificate of Liquor Liability Insurance: Example DRAM Document

• $2,000 Surety Bond - Must include:
  • Entity/individual name
  • DBA (if applicable)
  • Entity/Establishment address
  • Bond number
  • Term dates
  • Obligee: City of Bloomington

Example Bond: Example Bond Document

• Tax Forms – Must be Submitted Online. Local Tax Information can be found on the City’s website at https://www.bloomingtonil.gov/departments/finance/local-tax-information
• • Food/Beverage Tax – Required for all liquor licensees and can be submitted online

Items Checked Internally (NO documents should be uploaded)

• Entities must be in Good Standing with the State of Illinois
• No outstanding amounts owed to the City (taxes, utilities, legal fees, general billing, backflow or cross‑connection reports)
• $100 application fee must be paid by the deadline in the invoice email.
• DBA/Assumed Name must be registered – If the Applicant will use a different name with the public than the name of the legal entity, the DBA/Assumed Name must be registered with the State of IL or McLean County:

  
  NOTE: If already registered, this documentation is not required for submission and will be monitored internally. If not registered, please complete one of the following:

  • State of IL Adoption of an Assumed Name (Corporations and LLCs)
  • McLean County DBA/Assumed Name Registration  

 NOTE: IL Food Handler's Permit for the person(s) handling food for the event and BASSET Certificates for those serving must be available upon request at the event.

Before license application review can begin, the applicant must pay the following Annual Application Fee:

Annual Application Fee: $100*

*Application fees are billed once per year from the date of payment.

 If approved, each entity is required to pay the following per event license fee:

License Fee: $100

Please read this FAQ on the difference between a Secondary Premises and Catering licenses for more information. The most notable difference is that businesses seeking a Secondary Premises Liquor Licenses must already possess a City of Bloomington Primary Liquor License, while a Catering License can be obtained by businesses with a primary liquor license from a different municipality.