Skokie, IL Home Business: Cottage Food Operations (2026)

Under Illinois's Cottage Food and Home Kitchen Operations Act, Skokie 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, or via direct delivery. The annual gross revenue cap is $75,000 for cottage food operations. All products must be labeled with the business name and address, ingredients in descending order by weight, allergen declarations, net weight, production date, and the statement '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 time/temperature controls) cap at $50,000 and require a Food Service Sanitation Manager Certificate. Skokie's home occupation provisions still restrict signage and customer traffic, so selling primarily through farmers markets such as the Skokie Farmers Market or via delivery is preferable to on-premises sales.