Required for Any Commercial Business to Sell Alcohol

Local licenses expire April 30 annually.

Application Fee Required
$900 license application fee is due upon submission of the application. License fees vary according to classifications and will be due upon the applications approval by the local Liquor Commissioner.

Local License Procedures

• In the State of Illinois the Mayor serves as the local Liquor Commissioner and oversees all applications, licenses, and violations.
• City of Rock Island Liquor License Applications may be obtained from the City Clerk in the Mayor’s office, Monday – Friday, 8 am – 5 pm or here.
• Completed applications should be turned in to the Mayor’s office for his review with the required documents as listed on the application and the $900.00 application fee.
• After the Mayor has approved the submission of the application, it will be forwarded to the Police Department for background investigation. This portion of the approval process may take up to four to six weeks to process.
• Upon completion of the background investigation, the application, along with the findings of the investigation, is forwarded to the Liquor Commissioner.
• The Liquor Commissioner will approve or reject the issuance of a license based upon the information he has received, and the applicant will be notified of their application status.
• After receiving a local liquor license, a State alcohol retailer's license must be obtained. This must be done in person at their offices in Springfield or Chicago.

Local License Renewals

After an initial license has been issued, an annual renewal application and proof of dram shop insurance must be submitted each year to the local Liquor Commissioner’s office before the May 1 deadline to remain valid. 

Special Use Permit Liquor License

A Rock Island license holder with a class D, E, F, G, H, J, K, or L liquor license may be granted a special use permit liquor license to transfer a portion of its alcoholic inventory from its licensed premises to a designated site within the city for a special event. A special use permit liquor license application must be submitted to the Liquor Commissioner's office no later than 21 days in advance of the first day of the scheduled event by an eligible liquor license holder. Fees for events are as follows, $50 for 1 day, $100 for 2 or 3 consecutive days per event/location. 

Temporary Liquor License

Temporary license to sell alcohol at retail may be granted to organized clubs, societies, associations, fraternal organizations, duly constituted churches, or other not-for-profit organizations. A temporary liquor license may be issued for one, two, or three consecutive days.

View a complete copy of the local liquor ordinance for the City of Rock Island.