Chicago Food Truck Stand Locations Announced

CHICAGO, IL – Food trucks may soon find special parking spots near City Hall, NBC Tower, Harold Washington College, Buckingham Fountain and Lincoln Park Zoo, among other high-traffic locations in Chicago.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel on Wednesday presented the City Council with a list of 23 proposed sites for “food truck stands,” or loading-zone-like spots where at least two food trucks may legally park for two hours at a time and serve food.

A new mobile food ordinance that passed in July allowed trucks to cook food on board but reinforced restrictions on doing business within 200 feet of a food-service establishment. The stands would be an exception to that rule.

Amy Le, co-founder of the Illinois Food Truck Association, said it “sounds incredible” that proposed locations include spots in the financial district, around State and Lake streets and near City Hall.

“Those are really ideal spots (in) areas where it’s typically been difficult to get parking,” she said.

Food truck stands are proposed in Lakeview, Lincoln Park, West Town, the Loop, the Near North Side and the Gold Coast, neighborhoods chosen for a “high density” that would make legal parking harder.

“These dedicated stands for food trucks will provide additional parking opportunities and expanded operations to foster this growing industry,” Emanuel said in a statement Wednesday. “They will also help to safeguard communities from added congestion and public safety issues, while creating economic opportunity throughout the city.”

Assuming the ordinance is approved at the next City Council meeting, the spaces will be located at the following addresses: