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What a food truck permit costs in Illinois

The figures below come from Illinois's agency pages, each with the date it was read. Government fees only: commissary rent, insurance and the truck are private costs, and the profit calculator is where those go.

The main license

Chicago: $1,000 per two-year term (Mobile Food Preparer) or $700 (Mobile Food Dispenser), plus a $100 fire safety permit and a $150 fire suppression system review

Chicago Mobile Food Preparer license (cooking on board) or Mobile Food Dispenser license (no on-board preparation)

Chicago Municipal Code 4-5-010 lists the same two fees, assessed every two years. Suburban Cook County and downstate trucks get a mobile food permit from the county or district health department at that department's fee.

Issued by City of Chicago BACP (Business Affairs and Consumer Protection) in Chicago; the local health department elsewhere. No state license Read on the agency page Nov 5, 2026

Every step, with the fee where it is published

In filing order. A step without a published fee links the agency to ask.

  1. 1

    Form your entity and get your EINFederal

    the IRS

    Fee not published here; ask the agency
  2. 2

    Register for Illinois sales taxState

    Illinois Department of Revenue

    Private cost or no fee
  3. 3

    Get your food handler cardState

    an accredited food handler course provider

    Private cost or no fee
  4. 4

    Certify a food protection managerState

    an accredited food manager certification provider

    Private cost or no fee
  5. 5

    Sign your commissary agreementState

    Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) — enforced by local health departments

    Fee not published here; ask the agency
  6. 6

    Apply for the Mobile Food Vendor License (Chicago) / Mobile Food Establishment Permit (statewide)State

    Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) — enforced by local health departments

    Fee not published here; ask the agency
  7. 7

    Clear the county and city layersCity

    your city and county

    Private cost or no fee
  8. 8

    Get general liability insurance and a certificate of insurance (COI)Private

    your insurer

    Private cost or no fee

Renewal timeline

  • Chicago Mobile Food Vendor License

    Every 2 years · start paperwork 30 days before · Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) — enforced by local health departments

  • County Health Permit (outside Chicago)

    Every year · start paperwork 30 days before · Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) — enforced by local health departments

  • City Business License

    Every year · start paperwork 30 days before · Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) — enforced by local health departments

  • Fire Suppression Inspection

    Every year · start paperwork 30 days before · Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) — enforced by local health departments

  • General liability insurance (COI)

    Every year · start paperwork 21 days before · Your insurer

Download the renewal calendar (.ics) Open the printable checklist

Read the full picture

Illinois food truck permit guideAgencies, fees, inspections, city rules and the pitfalls, with sources.Chicago permitsCity layer on top of the state: zoning, fire, local business tax.

Compare every state on the permit hub or take the CSV.

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