How to Start a Food Truck in Illinois (2026)

Last updated: February 25, 2026

Illinois is a prime market for food trucks, with Chicago’s massive population and thriving street food culture leading the way. But food truck regulations in Illinois are complex – health permits come from your county health department, commissary agreements are mandatory, and Chicago has its own separate licensing system with specific location restrictions.

This guide breaks down every permit, license, and requirement to legally operate a food truck in Illinois, including the key differences between operating in Chicago versus the rest of the state.

Food Truck Requirements in Illinois at a Glance

Requirement	Agency	Cost	Timeline
LLC Formation	IL Secretary of State	$150	Several weeks (mail) or 4-5 days (online + $100)
Federal EIN	IRS	Free	Immediate (online)
Mobile Food Establishment Permit	County Health Department	$100-$1,000+	2-6 weeks
Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM)	IL Dept. of Public Health	$75-$150	Same day (after passing exam)
Food Handler Training (all employees)	IL Dept. of Public Health	$10-$25 per person	Within 30 days of hire
Commissary Agreement	Licensed commissary kitchen	$500-$2,000/month	Ongoing
Fire Extinguisher & Suppression System	Local fire department	$500-$3,000	Before operating
Sales Tax Registration	MyTax Illinois	Free	1-2 weeks
Local Business License	City/village clerk	Varies	1-2 weeks
Chicago Mobile Food License (if in Chicago)	City of Chicago	$700-$1,000 (2-year)	2-4 weeks

How to Start a Food Truck in Illinois (Step by Step)

Step 1: Form Your Business and Get Your EIN

File Articles of Organization with the Illinois Secretary of State ($150 by mail, $250 online expedited). Then apply for a free EIN from the IRS.

Step 2: Get Food Safety Certifications

Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM)

Illinois requires at least one Certified Food Protection Manager per food establishment. This replaced the old Food Service Sanitation Manager Certification (FSSMC) in 2018.

• Requirement: Pass an ANSI-accredited certification exam (ServSafe, Prometric, etc.)
• Cost: $75-$150 (course + exam)
• Valid for: 5 years
• Details: IDPH CFPM page

Food Handler Training (All Employees)

Every food employee must complete food handler training within 30 days of hire.

• Cost: $10-$25 per person
• Renewal: Every 3 years
• Details: IDPH Food Handler Training page

Step 3: Secure a Commissary Kitchen

Illinois requires all food trucks to have a signed commissary agreement with a licensed commercial kitchen. You must return to the commissary daily for cleaning and re-supply.

• Commissary must have: A valid food establishment license and be routinely inspected
• Agreement must include: Business name, facility address, services used, hours of access, manager contact info
• Keep a copy on the truck at all times
• Cost: $500-$2,000/month depending on location and services

Step 4: Get Your Mobile Food Establishment Permit

Apply to your county health department for a Mobile Food Establishment Permit. Requirements vary by county, but you’ll generally need to submit:

• Completed application
• CFPM certification
• Signed commissary agreement
• Menu
• Vehicle/truck specifications
• Pass a health inspection

Cost: $100-$1,000+ depending on county (Cook County is on the higher end).

Equipment standards required: Handwashing sink with hot and cold water, three-compartment sink or approved sanitizing method, accurate food thermometers, and sanitizer test strips.

Step 5: Install Fire Safety Equipment

Food trucks with cooking equipment must comply with fire safety standards:

• 5 lb ABC fire extinguisher (general fires)
• Class K fire extinguisher (grease/cooking oil fires)
• UL 300 compliant wet-chemical fire suppression system on commercial cooking hoods (NFPA 96)
• Trucks using propane, generators, or exhaust hoods may need a fire safety permit from the local fire department
• Illinois State Fire Marshal: sfm.illinois.gov

Step 6: Register for Sales Tax

Food sold by food trucks for immediate consumption is subject to Illinois sales tax. Register for a sales tax account through MyTax Illinois (free).

• State rate: 6.25% (1% for qualifying food items not for immediate consumption)
• Local taxes: Additional 1%-5% depending on location
• Important: Prepared food sold for immediate consumption is taxed at the full rate, not the reduced grocery rate

Step 7: Chicago-Specific Requirements

If you plan to operate in Chicago, you need additional city-specific permits:

License Type	Cost	Duration
Mobile Food Dispenser (MFD) – pre-packaged food only	~$700	2 years
Mobile Food Preparer (MFP) – food prepared on truck	~$1,000	2 years

Chicago restrictions:

• 200-foot rule: Cannot operate within 200 feet of brick-and-mortar restaurants
• Fire safety permit from Chicago Fire Department required
• Must comply with Chicago Department of Public Health regulations
• Details: Chicago Food Truck Licensing

Cost to Start a Food Truck in Illinois

Item	Cost	Notes
LLC Formation	$150-$250	One-time ($250 for online expedited)
Federal EIN	Free	Online at IRS.gov
Food Truck (used)	$40,000-$100,000	Used; new trucks $100K-$200K+
Mobile Food Establishment Permit	$100-$1,000	Annual, varies by county
CFPM Certification	$75-$150	Valid 5 years
Food Handler Training	$10-$25/person	Every 3 years
Commissary Kitchen	$500-$2,000/month	Ongoing requirement
Fire Safety Equipment	$500-$3,000	Suppression system + extinguishers
General Liability Insurance	$1,000-$3,000/year	Higher for food businesses
Commercial Auto Insurance	$2,000-$5,000/year	Required for food truck vehicle
Workers’ Comp (if employees)	Varies	Required for any employees
Local Business License(s)	$50-$500	Per jurisdiction
Chicago MFP License (if applicable)	~$1,000	2-year license
Initial Food & Supply Inventory	$1,000-$3,000	First stock
Estimated total (excluding truck): $4,385-$14,925+ first year

Related Illinois Business Guides

• Starting a Business in Illinois: Complete Guide

← Back to all Illinois business guides

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a commissary kitchen for a food truck in Illinois?

Yes. Illinois requires all food trucks to have a signed commissary agreement with a licensed commercial kitchen. You must return to the commissary daily for cleaning, re-supply, and food preparation that can’t be done on the truck. Keep a copy of the agreement on the truck at all times.

What food safety certifications do I need?

At least one person per food truck must hold a Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) certification (valid 5 years, $75-$150). All food employees must complete food handler training within 30 days of hire (renewed every 3 years, $10-$25 each).

Is food truck food taxable in Illinois?

Yes. Prepared food sold for immediate consumption is subject to the full Illinois sales tax rate of 6.25% plus local taxes (combined rates can reach 10.25% in Chicago). You must register for a sales tax account through MyTax Illinois before operating.

Can I operate a food truck anywhere in Chicago?

No. Chicago has a 200-foot rule – you cannot operate within 200 feet of brick-and-mortar restaurants. You also need a Chicago-specific Mobile Food Preparer license (~$1,000 for 2 years) and a fire safety permit from the Chicago Fire Department, in addition to your county health permits.

How much does it cost to start a food truck in Illinois?

Excluding the truck itself, expect to spend $4,385-$14,925+ in the first year on permits, certifications, commissary, insurance, and initial supplies. A used food truck typically costs $40,000-$100,000. Chicago operators should budget an additional $1,000 for the city-specific MFP license.

What fire safety equipment do I need?

Food trucks with cooking equipment need a 5 lb ABC fire extinguisher (general), a Class K extinguisher (grease fires), and a UL 300 compliant wet-chemical fire suppression system on commercial cooking hoods. Trucks using propane or generators may also need a local fire safety permit.