How to start a food truck in Illinois (2026)
Everything a new food truck in Illinois needs in the first months: registration, licenses, taxes, insurance and the yearly deadlines, with official links.
1. Register your business
Most owners form an LLC with the Illinois Secretary of State. Once it's registered, find it here to claim a free website and see your exact dates.
2. Licenses
In Illinois, your county or city health department usually issues food service permits. Call them before you sign a lease; most review kitchen plans first.
Your city or county may also require a general business license or tax receipt.
3. Taxes
Get a free EIN from the IRS first. How. Register with Illinois before your first taxable sale. Register in Illinois
If you expect to owe $1,000 or more in federal tax for the year, you pay estimated tax four times a year.
Illinois's yearly report
An annual report is due before the first day of your formation month each year. The state fee is about $75.
Example: an LLC formed today would have its first one due Sep 30, 2027.
Your first-month checklist
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Get your mobile food vendor permits
In Illinois, your county or city health department usually issues food service permits. Call them before you sign a lease; most review kitchen plans first.
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Line up a commissary kitchen
Many health departments require a licensed base kitchen for prep, storage and cleaning.
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Get food safety certified
Most places require a certified food manager on staff and food handler cards for the crew.
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Get your EIN
Free from the IRS, online in about 10 minutes. Banks, clients and payroll all ask for it. You never need to pay a service for it. How to get it free
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Open a business bank account
Keeps the company's money separate from yours, which is what protects your LLC. See options
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Register for sales tax if you sell taxable goods or services
Register with Illinois before your first taxable sale. Register in Illinois
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Insure the truck
Commercial auto covers the truck on the road; general liability covers customers at the window. See options
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Choose a POS system
Handles orders, card payments and tips, and feeds your bookkeeping. See options
What insurance costs
| Coverage | Median per month |
|---|---|
| General liability | $47 |
| Business owner's policy (BOP) | $190 |
| Workers' compensation | $100 |
| Liquor liability | $64 |
| Commercial auto | $222 |
Source: Insureon, Sep 2026. Your price depends on your work, location and history.
Other trades in Illinois
Sources: state agency sites linked above; annual report rules compiled from state sites (checked Oct 2026). Rules change, so confirm with the agency before filing.