CBS 2 Chicago wbbm7801059 670 The Score

Local

Aldermen OK Allowing Food Trucks To Cook On Board

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) – The Chicago City Council has overwhelmingly approved an ordinance that expands the operations of food trucks on city streets.

WBBM Newsradio Political Editor Craig Dellimore reports the council voted 44-1 in favor of the ordinance legalizing food trucks that prepare food on board the vehicle.

Previously, all food trucks that operated in the city could only sell food that had been prepared at commercial kitchens, and could only keep hot food warm on the trucks, not cook it on board.

LISTEN: WBBM Newsradio Political Editor Craig Dellimore reports


The ordinance would require the food trucks to keep at least 200 feet away from bricks-and-mortar restaurants. Some food truck owners have said that would limit them to remote spots that do not get much demand for food trucks.

Food trucks would also be limited to designated “food stands,” with space for two trucks each, in high-density areas of the city where parking is already at a premium. The mayor’s office said the precise locations of the food stands will by chosen in each ward by the local aldermen, residents, and business community.

Read The Full Ordinance

The trucks can only operate in locations where they can legally park, and cannot stay in the same spot for more than two hours.

The ordinance also requires truck owners to install GPS devices to monitor their locations. Owners would be subject to fines of $1,000 to $2,000 for operating outside of the designated areas.

Ald. Brendan Reilly (42nd), who represents the downtown area, noted neither food truck operators nor restaurant owners really like the ordinance, so he said aldermen probably got the new law right.

“I have a unique position, in that I represent literally hundreds of bricks-and-mortar restaurants downtown, but I’m also someone who absolutely loves street food, and the entrepreneurship that comes with it,” he said.

Ald. John Arena (45th),was the only alderman to vote against the measure, joining food truck owners who said the measure is too restrictive in where they can operate. He said it leaves too few areas where food truck owners can sell food, and would prevent many of them from breaking even.

Owners of traditional bricks-and-mortar restaurants have complained that food trucks that can prepare food on board will cut into their profits, at a time when many restaurants are already struggling to stay in business.

Listen Live!

RSS Most Popular News

Follow CBS Chicago

Like us on foursquare

RSS Contests & Promotions

  • Marquette County Convention & Visitors Bureau Post Game Show Giveaway May 10, 2013
    Listen to The Score’s Baseball Post Game Show for your chance to win a $100 lodging gift certificate from the Marquette County Convention & Visitors Bureau!
  • OREO Text-In Giveaway May 6, 2013
    The OREO King Size single serve packs are ideal for on the go snacking and sharing. To celebrate OREO King Size packs, text the keyword “OREO” to 67011 to enter for your chance to win a $250 Visa gift card!
  • Enjoy Golf’s Best Round With GREY GOOSE Vodka May 1, 2013
    Enjoy Golf’s Best Round this season with GREY GOOSE Vodka! Visit your participating retailer today and purchase one 750 mL or larger bottle of GREY GOOSE Vodka to receive one free round of golf!
  • Rivers Casino’s Baseball Fever Giveaway May 1, 2013
    Get Baseball Fever at Rivers Casino Sundays & Tuesdays in May! You could win great prizes and up to $25,000. Plus print out the WILD CARD that can help you win even more!
WBBM Newsradio 780, Radio Stations & Broadcast Companies, Chicago, IL

Twitter Updates