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

The Village of Skokie, Cook County, licenses pawnbrokers and precious metals dealers under Chapter 26, Article XXIII of the Skokie Village Code, enacted by Ordinance No. 14-8-C-4079 on August 4, 2014. Section 26-1121 defines a pawnbroker as anyone who lends money on deposit or pledge of personal property, buys property on condition of reselling it at a stipulated price, or publicly displays a pawnbroker sign, and defines a precious metals dealer as anyone whose primary business is buying and selling precious metals. Section 26-1125 requires a separate license for each permanent Village location.

Section 26-1126, as amended by Ordinance No. 24-6-C-4691 on June 3, 2024, caps the Village at no more than two active pawnbroker licenses and one active precious metals dealer license at any time. Section 26-1127 bars any new license on a street with an Average Daily Traffic count of 15,000 vehicles or higher, as determined by the Village Engineering Department, within 300 feet of an intersection with such a street, or within 300 feet of a school or religious institution. Section 26-1130 requires each individual applicant, managing partner, or corporate officer and director to be fingerprinted under the Chief of Police's direction and to undergo a moral character and business responsibility investigation.

Section 26-1124 requires every transaction to be entered into the Police Department's approved recordkeeping system within 12 hours of receiving an item, with records and goods open to police inspection at all reasonable hours. Section 26-1123 bars purchasing or receiving property from minors altogether.