Is It Illegal to Sell Alcohol Without a License?

Yes, it is illegal to sell alcohol in the United States without a license. Anyone wishing to sell alcohol must first obtain permits and licenses from local and state authorities. Selling alcohol without proper licensing can result in fines up to $1000 or jail time.
Authorities mainly target unlicensed bars or retailers selling to minors rather than collectors.

Do you need a liquor license to serve alcohol in Illinois?
A retailer license is required for the sales or service of alcoholic beverages in Illinois. The cost of a retail liquor license is $750. In Illinois, liquor licenses are issued by the state. You must have a seller’s permit already to apply for a liquor license. After applying, you must post public notice for 30 days. Some cases require notifying neighbors or posting in the newspaper. They will investigate the business and applicant.
Liquor licenses need renewing every year. You’ll get an email reminder 45 days before expiration. Renewals take one to five days, so budget time. Cook county and 9 major counties are now mandatory for BASSET training. It’s been made mandatory in Illinois on a county roll-out schedule. BASSET training is required for bartenders, servers, and waitstaff in bars, restaurants, and events. The off-premise certification is required for liquor or convenience stores selling alcohol.

To obtain an importer’s permit, importers must file an application with the TTB’s National Revenue Center. You need a local license first, then a state license from the Illinois Liquor Control Commission. A liquor license authorizes businesses to sell and market alcohol. The state excise department gives legal permission to distribute alcoholic beverages at a particular place.