Waukegan, Illinois: door-to-door solicitor permit

• The answer: Yes — two layers in the code. A license to engage in home solicitation sales (a seller personally soliciting a sale of goods or services away from its place of business) (14-606, 14-609(a)), and a registration certificate from the city collector for every canvasser or solicitor calling at residences uninvited to solicit orders or business of any kind (14-371). The license application lists all employees and agents who will solicit in the city (14-609(b)(6)).
• Where it comes from: The license: a sworn application in duplicate to the city's licensing official, referred to the chief of police for a criminal history check and approval (14-609(b), (c)). The registration: the office of the city collector, which refers it to the chief of police (14-371, 14-372).
• Fee: The code's fee schedule lists "Peddlers, hawkers, itinerant merchants and transient vendors" — the title of the article that holds the home solicitation license — at $150.00, and a nonrefundable business license application fee of $25.00 (14-1101(a)). The license is good for one year and renews on payment of a renewal fee (14-609(d)). The code prints no fee for the solicitor registration certificate.
• Hours you may knock: No door-to-door home solicitation before 9:00 a.m. or after 7:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday, or before 9:00 a.m. or after 5:00 p.m. on Sunday (14-611).
• What the rep carries: The registration certificate, which carries the rep's photograph, on the person at all times while soliciting, shown to any officer or resident who asks (14-371, 14-373). The license is shown on request of any prospective buyer (14-609(e)).
• What takes the time: A police criminal record check; the registration certificate cannot issue until three days after application, and anyone convicted of a felony is refused (14-372). The registrant brings two current full-face photographs (14-371). The license application needs two county residents who will vouch for the applicant's character and a police check of conviction history (14-609(b)(7), (c)).
• Code: Code of Ordinances, City of Waukegan, Chapter 14: Article V — Canvassers and Solicitors (14-361 to 14-375), Article IX — Peddlers, Hawkers, Itinerant Merchants and Transient Vendors (14-606 to 14-612, last amended by Ord. No. 13-O-46, 7-1-13), and Article XVI — Fees (14-1101).
• Worth knowing: Uninvited soliciting at a home that has posted a notice that solicitation is not invited is a nuisance (14-361). Sales under the home solicitation sections may not take place out of doors (14-612). Registration can be revoked by the mayor or chief of police for any ordinance or law violation (14-374). The city's Solicitor's Permit page could not be read.
• Read it yourself: Waukegan Code, Chapter 14, Article IX — Peddlers, Hawkers, Itinerant Merchants and Transient Vendors · Waukegan Code, Chapter 14, Article V — Canvassers and Solicitors · Waukegan Code, Chapter 14, Article XVI — Fees · checked 21 September 2026

Ask the clerk, and write the answer down:

• Whether the $150.00 "Peddlers, hawkers, itinerant merchants and transient vendors" fee is the fee for the home solicitation sales license, and whether it is per company or per rep
• Whether the solicitor registration certificate with the city collector carries a fee
• Whether the $25.00 business license application fee is charged on top

Clerk’s name ______________ Direct line ______________ Date called ______________