An Unsatisfying Compromise in Chicago's Food Truck Wars

Will a new Chicago ordinance put the kibosh on mobile cupcakes and kabobs?

1 minute read

July 23, 2012, 5:00 AM PDT

By rachelproctormay


A contentious food truck ordinance moved a step closer to almost-certain passage this week when a city council subcommittee approved it after a long and packed public hearing. The ordinance is intended to resolve a turf war between brick-and-mortar restaurants and their mobile, non-property-tax-paying competitors.

In an olive branch to the truck owners, the compromise ordinance allows vendors to cook in their trucks and extends their hours of operation, which had previously been restricted to the hours of 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The truck owners were not mollified. The vendors complain that location restrictions -- no setting up shop on vacant lots, even with the owner's permission, and no parking within 200 feet of a brick-and-mortar restaurant -- will cut them off from the lunchtime crowds that are their bread and butter. Brick-and-mortar restaurant owners say their higher fixed costs and the contribution they make to the overall Chicago experience render them worthy of protection.

The ordinance is expected to be approved when it hits the full city council next week.

Thanks to Rachel Proctor May

Friday, July 20, 2012 in The Huffington Post

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

Street with parking protected bike lane and parked cars in downtown Portland, Oregon.

Portland Raises Parking Fees to Pay for Street Maintenance

The city is struggling to bridge a massive budget gap at the Bureau of Transportation, which largely depleted its reserves during the Civd-19 pandemic.

July 8 - Willamette Week

Aerial view of Spokane, Washington with river in foreground.

Spokane Mayor Introduces Housing Reforms Package

Mayor Lisa Brown’s proposals include deferring or waiving some development fees to encourage more affordable housing development.

July 8 - The Spokesman-Review

Close-up on black and white "Bike Lane Ends" sign with bike logo.

Houston Mayor Kills Another Bike Lane

The mayor rejected a proposed bike lane in the Montrose district in keeping with his pledge to maintain car lanes.

July 8 - Houston Public Media

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

Associate/Senior Planner

Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development

Senior Planner

Heyer Gruel & Associates PA