What licenses and permits are required to open a food truck in the Illinois state?

To open a food truck in Illinois, you need to obtain several licenses and permits, including a Mobile Food Dispenser (MFD) or Mobile Food Preparer (MFP) license, a business license, a health department food truck permit, and potentially a Fire Safety Permit. The specific requirements may vary depending on the location within Illinois and the nature of the food truck's operations.

1. Mobile Food Dispenser (MFD) or Mobile Food Preparer (MFP) License

• Purpose: An MFD serves food that is totally enclosed in a wrapper or container and prepared in a licensed food establishment. An MFP prepares and serves food directly from the mobile food vehicle.
• Estimated Cost: The application and license fees are $700 per Mobile Food Vehicle (MFV) for a 2-year term for MFD and $1,000 per MFV for a 2-year term for MFP.
• How to Register: Complete a Business Information Sheet (BIS) - Pre-Application Form and provide a government-issued photo ID, Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN), and State of Illinois File Number. The MFV must be made available for inspection by the Department of Public Health, and if applicable, the Chicago Fire Department.

2. Business License

• Purpose: This license covers all locations and days of operation within the same calendar year. No separate license, permit, or fee is required beyond this.
• Estimated Cost: The local government may only charge a licensing fee that reimburses them for the actual cost of processing the business license.
• How to Register: Obtain an initial or reciprocal business license from a unit of local government.

3. Health Department Food Truck Permit

• Purpose: This permit is required for each food truck you operate, from the local health department with jurisdiction over the area where the majority of the food truck's operations take place.
• How to Register: Apply through the local health department.

4. Fire Safety Permit (if applicable)

• Purpose: If your MFV is equipped with a gasoline, diesel or electric generator, propane or compressed natural gas, type II exhaust hood or fire suppression system, you are required to be inspected by the Chicago Fire Department and obtain a Fire Safety Permit.
• How to Register: Apply through the Chicago Fire Department.

Useful Information Source Links:

• Chicago Government Mobile Food Vendor Licenses
• Food Truck Freedom Act
• Food Truck Growth in Illinois
• Food Truck Freedom Act in the Illinois General Assembly
• Springfield, Illinois Mobile Food Units

Learn more about local food delivery trends and insights:

• Food Delivery Trends And Restaurant Insights