Business Licenses and Permits

A legal battle between a cigar shop in Orland Park, Illinois and the village has continued this week.

The dispute occurred after Orland Park pulled Belicoso Cigar Lounge’s business license, the Herald News reported.

Following a claim by the shop owner Asma Saad that the council’s action was the result of ethnic discrimination, the case was aired in the federal court on December 22nd, with a decision expected at a later date.

Orland Park had previously issued a license for Belicoso in March 2006 and exempted the store from City laws prohibiting indoor smoking.

However, this exemption was given to another owner, who is currently serving a six-year sentence for corporate income tax evasion.

In October, associate attorney Jason Guisinger, who is representing the village, explained to the Trib Local, “We are seeking the revocation on the basis that Mr. Ghaddar [- the former president of Belicosa Cigar Lounge -] was convicted of a felony of tax evasion.”

Orland Park ordinances permit officials to revoke a business license in the event that there is a felony conviction indicative of a business owner’s inability to operate a legitimate business.

Tags: business license, business licenses, Illinois