Can An Employee Work for an Improperly Licensed Business?
Full Question:
If my employer was given a notice of violation due to operating without a business license in the City of Chicago and one of the penalties listed as a result of operating without the license is that all managers and employees working on the premises will be subject to arrest and criminal prosecution. Also, my employer has never filed their foreign corporation with the Secretary of State of Illinois. They have not yet qualified or authorized to transact business in the state of Illinois. They have been performing business for 6 years without the above. If I was the one served the notice of violation, is the penalty applicable during application for the license? Must I wait to work on the premises before my employer receives their business license or am I performing illegal activity by working on the premises?
07/11/2009 |
Category: Corporations |
State: Illinois |
#17486
Answer:
The City of Chicago Municipal Code mandates that no business activity may take place without first obtaining the required license(s). A pending license application does not allow you to operate - you must wait for the license to be issued.
It is likely that licensing must be obtained before operations will be permitted again. In that case, merely applying will be insufficient, and approval of the application must be given to free the company of liability. I suggest calling the agency that issued the violation and/or having a local attorney review all the facts and documents involved.