Chicago has not adopted a utensils-on-request rule like California's SB 1276. Restaurants may bundle plastic utensils with takeout. A 2023 City Council proposal to require on-request-only service stalled in committee but remains under consideration.
Unlike California, New York City, or Washington DC, Chicago has not enacted an ordinance requiring single-use foodware accessories to be supplied only on customer request. Restaurants may continue to include plastic utensils, napkins, condiment packets, and stirrers automatically with takeout and delivery. A 2023 ordinance proposed by the Sustainability Committee modeled on California SB 1276 stalled before final reading and has not been reintroduced as of 2026. The Illinois Plastic Utensil and Cup Dispenser Act covers limited public buildings but excludes restaurants. Chicago's broader environmental focus has been the 2017 checkout-bag tax MCC 3-50 and CDPH foam ban discussions; foodware accessories remain unregulated until further action.
There are no Chicago citations available for automatic utensil distribution because no ordinance is in force. Restaurants face no fines for bundling plastic utensils with takeout under current MCC chapters as of 2026.
Chicago, IL
Chicago's Checkout Bag Tax, MCC chapter 3-50, charges seven cents on every paper or plastic carryout bag at retail. The 2017 ordinance replaced an earlier pl...
Chicago, IL
Chicago has no citywide ban on expanded polystyrene foam food containers as of 2026. Specific rules cover Park District facilities, McCormick Place, and city...
See how Chicago's utensils-on-request rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.