Champaign, IL Business Licensing & Operations: Pawnbrokers (2026)

Sec. 28-56 makes it unlawful to conduct or operate the business of pawnbroker within city limits without first obtaining a license from the City Clerk. Applicants must disclose the name, birthdate, driver's license number and address of every owner, partner, officer or manager, prior licensing history in other jurisdictions, and any felony, theft or larceny convictions, plus a completed criminal background check for each person required to report. 00 set by both Sec. 28-56(j) and the fee schedule at Sec. 13. Sec. 28-57 disqualifies applicants with a felony or theft-related conviction, a previously revoked pawnbroker license in any jurisdiction, or who are under 18.

Once licensed, Sec. 28-47 requires the pawnbroker to keep a standard record book describing every item pawned, pledged, bought, bartered or exchanged, along with the seller's name, address, age and physical description or driver's license number, and to deliver a daily transaction report to the Police Department before noon each day. Sec. 28-48 bars taking pledges from anyone under 18 and requires holding pawned property for 72 hours before resale so police can check it against stolen-property reports. Sec. 28-49 separately bans pawnbrokers from buying, selling or displaying sawed-off shotguns, blackjacks, metal knuckles, switchblades or other weapons whose possession is unlawful under Article 24 of the state Criminal Code.