Statement on Fees and Fines in the Proposed Chicago Budget

Are you a Chicago small business owner? Do you work for a small business? Do small businesses support your Chicago community? If the answer is yes, please let your alderman/alderwoman know you are opposed to saddling small businesses with dramatically higher fees and fines.

The proposed Chicago budget dramatically increases a host of fees and fines that will hurt small businesses. For instance, some business licenses will increase from $250.00 to $1,000.00 while others will double from $250.00 to $500.00. Business licenses have to be renewed every two years! Annual food inspection fees are significantly increased, and other business fees are higher in the proposed 2026 budget. Fines will also greatly increase, sometimes doubling, should small businesses make a mistake and come out of compliance.

Small businesses have faced new mandates and continue being impacted by burdensome red tape. Chicago politicians should not extract dramatically higher fees from entrepreneurs just for the chance to do business in Chicago while punishing small businesses by increasing fines. Reach out to your alderperson and urge them not to raise fees and fines on Chicago small businesses in the 2026 budget.