Champaign County, IL Home Business: Cottage Food Operations (2026)

The Illinois cottage food law, 410 ILCS 625/4, was greatly expanded by the Home-to-Market Act, effective January 1, 2022. A cottage food operation registers with the local health department, the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District, rather than getting a state retail food license. The 2022 changes removed the old annual sales cap and broadened what can be sold, allowing many baked goods, jams, pickles, and other items direct to consumers at farmers markets, from home, online, and by delivery. The person preparing the food must hold a Department-approved food service sanitation manager certification, and products must be labeled with ingredients, allergens, and a home-kitchen disclosure. Foods needing time and temperature control for safety stay limited.