Des Plaines, IL Home Business: Cottage Food Operations (2026)

Under the Illinois Cottage Food and Home Kitchen Operations Act (410 ILCS 625/4), Des Plaines residents may prepare and sell certain low-risk foods from their home kitchen. Approved products include baked goods without cream or meat fillings, jams, jellies, fruit butters, candy, dried herbs, roasted coffee, popcorn, and granola. Sales must be direct to consumers at farmers markets, from the home, online with delivery, or by direct order. The annual gross revenue cap is $75,000 for cottage food operations. All products must be labeled with the producer name, address, ingredients in descending order by weight, allergen declarations, net weight, production date, and the disclosure 'This product was produced in a home kitchen not subject to public health inspection that may also process common food allergens.' Registration with the Cook County Department of Public Health is required before selling. Home Kitchen Operations (which permit some potentially hazardous foods with controls) cap at $50,000 and require a Food Service Sanitation Manager Certificate. Des Plaines's home occupation provisions still restrict customer traffic and signage, so the Des Plaines Farmers Market or delivery models are preferable to on-premises pickup.