Buffalo Grove, ILBuffalo Grove

• Class A licenses allow for on-site consumption with food service.
• Class B licenses allow for on-site consumption without food service. 
• Class C licenses allow for the retail sale of alcoholic beverages for off-site consumption.
• Class D license allows for the retail sale of beer manufactured on-site or off-site by the same license holder, for consumption on and off the licensed premises. 
• Class E licenses allows the service of alcohol as part of a catering package by a current license holder at premises not otherwise licensed. 
• Several Class S Special Event liquor licenses are available.

Step 1. Submit a written request to clerk@vbg.org for a pre-application meeting to discuss a liquor license with the local Liquor Commissioner. This request must include:

• Class of license requested
• Articles of incorporation or organization
• Copy of lease or proof of ownership of property
• Business plan / sample menu

Step 2. After the meeting, if the Liquor Commissioner authorizes the business to proceed with the application, the applicant will be given an application packet.

Step 3. Submit the application and application fee. An ordinance will be prepared for the next available Village Board meeting, at which time the Board will vote to approve the license reservation.

Step 4. Within 90 days of Board approval, submit the remaining requirements. The following documents must be submitted:

• Articles of Incorporation or Organization
• Copy of assumed name certificate, if applicable
• Detailed floor plan showing layout of premises, clearly marking where alcohol is prepared, stored, sold, and served
• Copy of valid lease
• Written liquor control policy
• Certificate of Insurance indicating that a policy of dram shop insurance is in force for the premises at which the license is to be issued in an amount not less than $500,000.00
• Additional Insured Endorsement listing the Village of Buffalo Grove as an additional insured
• Cancellation Endorsement with minimum 10-day notice to Village of Buffalo Grove
• Written list of employees who mix, serve, or sell alcohol
• Basset certificates for all employees on above list
• Statement of Manager or Agent, if business will be conducted by a manager or agent
• Outdoor seating application and site plan, if requested

Each individual owning 5% or more and any designated manager shall have his or her fingerprints submitted to the Village for the purpose of a criminal history records check. Each person must make an appointment with the Buffalo Grove police department, pay the $50 fingerprint fee at Village Hall, then take the receipt and completed Fingerprint Application to the appointment.

It is strongly suggested that you submit a written request to clerk@vbg.org for preliminary review prior to applying for a state gaming license. This request must include:

• Floor plan with dimensions
• Square footage of space devoted to video gaming relative to other activities
• Detailed plan for commercial kitchen with appliances
• Number of video gaming terminals
• Customer seating capacity
• Full menu featuring food and beverages offered
• Number of employes at the establishment
• Anticipated revenue derived from dining vs video gaming
• Articles of organization and ownership details

1. Local Liquor
2. State Liquor
3. State Gaming
4. Local Gaming

Once the establishment’s state gaming license has been issued, a full Buffalo Grove video gaming license application packet can be submitted. The following documents are required to be submitted with the initial application:

• State of Illinois Liquor License
• Terminal Operator Agreement
• Terminal Operator’s Illinois Gaming Board License
• Illinois Gaming Board Video Gaming Establishment License
• Floor layout with dimensions, commercial kitchen plan, location of terminals
• Customer seating capacity
• Percentage of total business space dedicated to video gaming related to other activities
• Full menu featuring food and beverages
• Anticipated revenue derived from dining vs video gaming

There is a one-time $250 initial application fee, and the annual license fee is $1,000 per terminal.

Video Gaming licenses are only available to restaurants that hold a valid Buffalo Grove Class A or Class A-1 Liquor License and have a full commercial kitchen. Video Gaming Cafes are not permitted in Buffalo Grove.