Cleaning Business License in Chicago, IL (2026)

Chicago Cleaning Business License Requirements

Starting a commercial or residential cleaning business in Chicago requires registration at three levels: the State of Illinois (entity formation), City of Chicago (business license), and Illinois Department of Revenue (sales tax registration if applicable). There is no specialized "janitorial contractor license" in Illinois — commercial cleaning is covered under general business licensing. For the full reference, see Opora's 2026 Indiana cleaning business license guide For the full reference, see Opora's 2026 Georgia licensing reference For the full reference, see Opora's 2026 California cleaning license guide

Step-by-Step Registration Process

Step 1 — Form your Illinois business entity
Register an LLC or corporation with the Illinois Secretary of State at ilsos.gov/business. An LLC offers pass-through taxation and limited liability. Filing fee: $150 online. Processing: 1–2 business days online.

Step 2 — Obtain an EIN
Apply for a Federal EIN at irs.gov. Free; instant online. Required before opening a business bank account or hiring employees.

Step 3 — Register with Illinois Department of Revenue
Register at MyTax Illinois for an Illinois Business Tax number and, if your services are taxable, a Sales Tax Permit. Illinois does not generally impose sales tax on cleaning services (see Is Cleaning Taxable in Illinois?), but you must still register.

Step 4 — Apply for Chicago Limited Business License (LBL)
All businesses operating in Chicago must obtain an LBL. Apply at businesslicenses.chicago.gov. The "Cleaning Service — Commercial" and "Janitorial Service" categories both use the LBL. Required documents: proof of entity formation, EIN, proof of insurance (general liability certificate).

Timeline: LBL applications are typically processed within 5–10 business days. Expedited processing is not available.

Step 5 — Obtain Insurance Certificates
Chicago's LBL application requires a Certificate of Insurance with the City of Chicago named as additional insured. Minimum recommended coverage for a cleaning company operating in Chicago:

• General Liability: $1,000,000 per occurrence / $2,000,000 aggregate
• Workers' Compensation: as required by Illinois law
• Commercial Auto (if using company vehicles): $1,000,000 combined single limit

Special Permits

Hazardous materials endorsement: Not required for standard cleaning chemicals (diluted bleach, quaternary ammonium, general purpose cleaners). Required if you apply pesticides — separate Illinois pesticide applicator license.

Prevailing wage on public contracts: Chicago public works projects require prevailing wages per the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act (820 ILCS 130). Rates are set county-by-county by the Illinois Department of Labor and updated in June each year. Check labor.illinois.gov before bidding any city, CPS, CHA, or Cook County contract.

Sales Tax on Cleaning Services in Illinois

Illinois does not impose sales tax on cleaning services performed on real property (building cleaning). However, cleaning services on tangible personal property (e.g., rug cleaning taken off-site, vehicle detailing) may be taxable. Verify your specific service mix with IDOR. See Is Cleaning Taxable in Illinois? for a full analysis.