The Chicago Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection (BACP) Business Compliance Enforcement (BCE) division is charged with preserving quality of life in our communities by ensuring that businesses comply with Chicago’s Municipal Code through enforcement action taken against unscrupulous and fraudulent businesses and business practices. BCE also has a robust compliance education program to work with businesses to help them stay in compliance.

Business Compliance Enforcement (BCE) Investigators conduct investigations at businesses throughout the City of Chicago to ensure compliance with Chicago’s Municipal Code. Investigators respond to residents’ complaints and conduct proactive investigations where necessary. 

The BCE Nights and Weekends Enforcement is a specialized team that investigates businesses that do not operate during regular business hours or are more likely to commit violations during the night and weekend timeframe.

BACP leads the Business Compliance Task Force, a coordinated, multi-agency Task Force in collaboration with the Chicago Police Department and the Chicago Department of Buildings to prevent egregious and dangerous violations of the Municipal Code of Chicago.

BACP Investigators are easily identifiable.  BACP Investigators will:

• Always identify themselves with City employee identification card (city ID), badge (star) and can provide a business card
• Never request onsite payment
• Send emails from email addresses that include @cityofchicago.org

Report anyone misrepresenting themselves as a BACP Investigator, whether it’s in-person or online, to the to the Chicago Police Department.

If violations are found, investigators will issue various types of enforcement actions to curtail irresponsible business ownership, including Notices to Correct (NTC), Administrative Notices of Violation (ANOV)/citations with potential fines and Cease and Desist Orders. BCE also conducts pre-license inspections for certain business activities.

No business activity can take place in the City of Chicago without first obtaining the required business license(s). For information about how to obtain a business license, visit Chicago Business Licensing. Some licenses will require a pre-license inspection by BACP, the Chicago Department of Public Health, Chicago Department of Buildings and/or other City departments.