Food Carts Get Backing of Chicago Alderman

by Amanda Griffin-Johnson On Wednesday, Alderman Scott Waguespack introduced an ordinance that would allow mobile food trucks to prepare food on-site. The existing food trucks in the city are only allowed to sell food that is prepared and packaged beforehand. The Chicago Sun-Times reports: “If we have all of our bases covered in terms of health...

by Amanda Griffin-Johnson

On Wednesday, Alderman Scott Waguespack introduced an ordinance that would allow mobile food trucks to prepare food on-site. The existing food trucks in the city are only allowed to sell food that is prepared and packaged beforehand.

The Chicago Sun-Times reports:

“If we have all of our bases covered in terms of health and sanitation, we could have 60 of these truck start up in the first year. We could create 500 to 600 jobs right off the bat with a $13.5 million payroll. That’s how many people have called to say they’re excited about it,” [Waguespack] said.

Waguespack said a would-be restaurant owner could purchase a truck for less than $100,000, a fraction of the cost of a brick-and-mortar restaurant.

Jerry Roper, president of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, said he’s all for the idea.

“We see it as another boutique-like industry that is very competitive in New York and Los Angeles. You’ll be able to get hot food instead of buying something that’s been wrapped and prepared a day or two in advance,” Roper said.

Will the city open the door for entrepreneurs to enhance the Chicago food scene? We’ll have to wait and see. You can read the full Sun-Times article here.