Illinois Supreme Court upholds controversial Chicago food truck restrictions

By Joe Barnas

05/29/2019

The Illinois Supreme Court sided with the city of Chicago following a yearslong court battle over some of the nation’s toughest food truck restrictions.

TAGS: Chicago, food trucks, Illinois Supreme Court, regulations

Restaurant group demands protection from food truck competition in Chicago

By Joe Barnas

11/23/2018

A trade organization is seeking to insulate the restaurant industry from competition in an Illinois Supreme Court battle over Chicago’s food truck regulations.

TAGS: food trucks, Illinois Restaurant Association, regulations

Amid heavy ticketing, challenge to Chicago food truck regulations heads to Illinois Supreme Court

By Vincent Caruso, Joe Barnas

05/31/2018

Chicago’s regulatory roadblocks have derailed opportunity for the city’s food truck entrepreneurs. As a challenge to those restrictions reaches Illinois’ high court, the outcome of the case could be felt statewide.

TAGS: Chicago, CPD: Chicago Police Department, food trucks, Illinois Supreme Court, regulations

Carbondale could lead on easing food truck regulations

By Joe Kaiser

05/11/2018

Though some of Illinois’ larger municipalities such as Chicago and Evanston have been overly restrictive in regulating food trucks, the Carbondale City Council has debated loosening them for its city, soliciting mixed opinions.

TAGS: carbondale, food trucks, jobs, regulations

Senate bill would require regulators to jump more hurdles before imposing new licensing restrictions

By Vincent Caruso

05/07/2018

Regulatory regimes in Illinois often discourage workforce participation without enhancing public welfare. One Senate bill, however, would require regulators to demonstrate the necessity of new rules before imposing them on workers.

TAGS: Chicago, food trucks, licensing, Lisa Creason, occupational licensing, Pam Althoff, regulations, scott bennett, Tom Demmer

Study: Chicago’s regulatory roadblocks stifle the city’s food trucks

By Vincent Caruso

03/27/2018

The country is enjoying a food truck boom, but overbearing regulations threaten the industry. According to a new study, Chicago’s regulatory burden is among the worst.

TAGS: Chicago, food trucks, licensing, regulations

Food truck owner fights for fairness, opportunity in Chicago

By Vincent Caruso

12/02/2017

Regulations have burned the Windy City’s once-promising food truck sector. One mobile restaurateur hopes to change that.

TAGS: Chicago, food trucks

Chicago proposal would ban food trucks from Midway, charge $200 to operate at O’Hare

By Hilary Gowins

07/20/2017

A proposal to allow food trucks at O’Hare Airport imposes extra expenses on operators and does not grant them the right to operate at Midway Airport.

TAGS: Chicago, food trucks

Uber, food trucks and Airbnb: Chicago’s 3 biggest over-regulation stories from 2016

By Chris Lentino

12/27/2016

It’s no secret Chicago aldermen aren’t friendly to outsider businesses and innovative industries. Here’s a look at some of the most egregious examples from 2016.

TAGS: Airbnb, Chicago, collaborative economy, food trucks, homesharing, regulations, Uber

After court ruling, Chicago food trucks must fight on against protectionist city rules

By Joe Kaiser

12/06/2016

In her Dec. 5 ruling, a Cook County Circuit Court judge said Chicago’s oppressive food truck regulations serve legitimate city interests. But evidence shows the only interests the rules protect are those of politically connected restaurant owners and politicians.

TAGS: Beavers Coffee + Donuts, Chicago, food trucks

2019 Illinois corruption tracker

Illinois is the second-most corrupt state in the nation, according to the University of Illinois-Chicago. And corruption costs the state economy at least $550 million per year. But the size and scope of government corruption is nothing new for Illinoisans. What is new? Powerful Illinois lawmakers, Chicago aldermen, local mayors and business interests are involved...

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2019 Illinois corruption tracker

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Al Lashbrook

Policy lessons from Illinois’ exodus of people and money

CBS Chicago: Illinois’ highest-paid superintendent receives $400K per year to oversee 1,200 students