CBS 2 Chicago wbbm7801059 670 The Score

Local

City Council Panel OKs Food Truck Plan

View Comments
Hot Food Truck

A cook prepares food on board a hot food truck. (Credit: CBS)

Don't Miss This
Don't Miss This

CHICAGO (CBS) – A City Council panel has signed off on a plan that would legalize food trucks that cook their food on board, over the complaints from both food truck owners and traditional restaurants.

Food trucks already operate in the city, but are not allowed to cook the food on board the vehicles. Instead, they’ve had to prepare the food in commercial kitchens, then just keep it warm while taking the trucks out on the street.

The ordinance would require the food trucks to keep at least 200 feet away from brick-and-mortar restaurants, a measure that drew complaints from food truck owners, who said it could run them out of business by limiting them to remote spots that do not get much food traffic.

Truck owners also complained about a requirement for food trucks to install GPS devices to monitor their locations, as well as plans to restrict them to designated “food stands,” where each truck would only be allowed to set up shop for two hours at a time.

Truck owners also took issue with the fact fines for parking within 200 feet of a brick-and-mortar restaurant range from $1,000 to $2,000, while fines for health code violations are only $250 to $500. They say it’s unreasonable that the fine for operating too close to the competition is higher than the penalty for violating health codes.

Restaurant owners were also upset with the ordinance, claiming the food trucks would cut into their business when many restaurants are already struggling to stay afloat.

The Committee on License and Consumer Protection voted to send the ordinance to the full City Council, which meets next Wednesday.

View Comments
  • http://www.mobilefoodnews.com/2012/07/chicago-il-city-council-panel-oks-food-truck-plan/ Chicago, IL: City Council Panel OKs Food Truck Plan | Mobile Food News

    [...] STAFF | CBS Chicago Hot food trucks, where food is prepared in the vehicle and served on the street, are awaiting legal [...]

  • http://www.mobilefoodnews.com/2012/07/chicago-il-city-council-panel-oks-food-truck-plan/ Chicago, IL: City Council Panel OKs Food Truck Plan | Mobile Food News

    [...] STAFF | CBS Chicago Hot food trucks, where food is prepared in the vehicle and served on the street, are awaiting legal [...]

  • http://www.mobilefoodnews.com/2012/07/chicago-il-city-council-panel-oks-food-truck-plan/ Chicago, IL: City Council Panel OKs Food Truck Plan | Mobile Food News

    [...] (CBS) – A City Council panel has signed off on a plan that would legalize food trucks that cook their food on board, over the complaints from both food truck owners and traditional [...]

  • http://travel2chicago.us/chicago-news-stories-forjul-20-2012/ Chicago News Stories for Jul 20 2012 : Travel tips, hotels, restaurants, jobs and news | Travel 2 Chicago

    [...] was spoiled by the Cubs beating Mark Buehrle and Marlins 4-2 Thursday to win the three-game series.City Council Panel OKs Food Truck PlanA City Council panel has signed off on a plan that would legalize food trucks that cook their food [...]

blog comments powered by Disqus
Listen Live!

RSS Most Popular News

Follow CBS Chicago

Like us on foursquare

RSS Contests & Promotions

  • Benjamin Moore Which Team Colors Matter Most? May 24, 2013
    Which Team Colors matter most to you? Either way, you could be a winner! Just sign up now for a chance to win $500 Depot Dollars to the Chicago Sports Depot to pick up some gear with your favorite team colors as they battle it out this week!
  • AVEENO® MEN’S “Building a Healthier Foundation” Sweepstakes May 21, 2013
    AVEENO® Men’s™ knows your family is your foundation. And to take good care of them, you need to take good care of yourself. Win a family day at the ballpark from AVEENO® Men’s™.
  • Join Hankook Tire To Reel In The Next Big Catch May 20, 2013
    Join Hankook tire to reel in the next great catch! Click here to go to www.TirePrize.com and enter for your chance to win the ultimate fishing excursion in Puerto Rico!
  • Meet Jim Rome On Set In Los Angeles May 20, 2013
    AutoZone and the Jim Rome Show are giving one winner and a guest a trip to meet Jim Rome in Los Angeles on the set of his Showtime television show! Enter for your chance to win!
WBBM Newsradio 780, Radio Stations & Broadcast Companies, Chicago, IL

Twitter Updates