Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors in Cook County, IL (2026)

3 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 8 cities in Cook County, Illinois.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Cook County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Food Truck Permits

Cook County requires mobile food units operating in unincorporated Cook County to hold an annual food establishment license from the Department of Public Health, with a fee of $125.00 covering inspection costs.

Cook County Mobile Food Unit License Fee

Some Restrictions

Cook County Code § 32-1

Sec. 32-1. - Fee schedule. The fees or charges provided for or required by the below-listed sections shall be as shown below: ... CHAPTER 38, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Food establishment; Unincorporated Cook County Annual license fee (includes inspection costs) ... Mobile food unit 125.00

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Vending Zones

Cook County has no mapped vending zones. Instead, § 82-78 bars mobile food dispensers and peddlers from doing business on the public way in a way that obstructs traffic flow, with fines of $50 to $500 per offense.

Cook County Mobile Vendor Traffic Rule

Some Restrictions

Cook County Code § 82-78

No person shall conduct the business of a mobile food dispenser or peddler as defined in this Code, on any portion of the public way in such a way as to obstruct the flow of traffic. Any person who violates the provisions of this section shall be fined not less than $50.00 nor more than $500.00 for each offense.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Sidewalk & Mobile Vending

A vendor working in unincorporated Cook County needs a General Business License from the Department of Revenue once the vendor is doing business there under Section 54-382, including by regularly keeping a stock of goods for sale. The license runs two years, and violations cost $100, $250, then $500.

Cook County Sidewalk Vending License Rules

Significant Restrictions

Cook County Code § 54-383 (with §§ 54-382 and 54-392)

It shall be unlawful for any Person doing business in any unincorporated area of Cook County to conduct such business without having first obtained a General Business License unless exempt as indicated in Section 54-392 . ... Doing business means the extent to which any person who within any unincorporated area of Cook County, for the purposes of this article, fulfills one or more of the follow...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗