Monday, June 25, 2012

New Proposed Food Truck Ordinances Ignore South Side

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Haute Sausage's truck working overtime during lunch. (Photo: Haute Sausage)

The city's department of Business and Consumer Protection hosted a meeting Monday with food truck operators to preview two versions of ordinances that will allow them to finally cook on the vehicles.

According to an article by Crain's Chicago, in one version "they'll face major parking restrictions, limitations on the number of trucks, steeper licensing fees and hefty fines for breaking the rules."

Included in the eight new rules proposed were three mobile food truck loading zones: The first: Addison Street to Chicago Avenue and Halsted Street to Western Avenue. The second will extend from Lake Michigan to Ashland Avenue to Diversey Avenue to Irving Park Rd. The third: Lake Michigan to Des Plaines Street and North Avenue to Jackson Boulevard.

Notably missing were South Side (as well as Far North Side) zones, where trucks regularly visit University of Chicago Hospital and Harper Court (Hyde Park) as well as Chicago State University (at 95th Street and King Drive).

Mayor Emanuel released a statement in lieu of his absence at the meeting:

"The food truck industry in Chicago has been held back by unnecessary restrictions, and my administration is committed to common-sense changes that will allow this industry to thrive, creating jobs and supporting a vibrant food culture across the city."

These current zones aren't exactly "across the city," so here's hoping that the ordinance that he's set to release Wednesday includes at least one on the South Side . . .

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