New digital permit service available for unincorporated Cook County

Posted November 27, 2016 10:00 pm

Submitted by Office of the Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle

In order to improve customer service and efficiency for businesses and residents who reside in the unincorporated areas of Cook County, the Department of Building and Zoning, working jointly with the Department of Geographic Information Systems, has launched a new online permitting system.

"I am pleased that this new solution to permitting is being offered by Cook County as it improves an existing service, one of our governing principles,"said Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle. "In addition to being an important management tool, the online application will allow businesses and residents in the unincorporated areas to receive permits faster and more efficiently."

The permit tracking application has automated the entire permitting process from beginning to end and adds much more than a public interface. The new application also streamlines the workflow for staff.

Highlights include:

• Intuitive user interface

• Online permit status tracking

• 100 percent paperless process

• A digital file management system replacing storage needs for paper documents

• Online access to e-permits

• Department is able track statistics related to payment, types of violation and the amount of revenue received through permitting

• Online payment

• Ability to attach documents

• Replaces the need to print permit documents

• New ability for mobile access to the system for field inspectors

• Reviewer/inspector message board to enhance communication

• Ability for Department of Building and Zoning to analyze permitting metrics

If you are a business owner or a resident in the unincorporated areas of Cook County and wish to apply for a permit, go to the Department of Building and Zoning website at: www.cookcountyil.gov/buildingzoning.

You can apply online using your personal computer, but you can check the status of your application and pay for it using your smartphone.

For answers to your questions while using the application, please email: intake.bnz@cookcountyil.gov.

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