Game of T̶h̶r̶o̶n̶e̶s̶ [Food Trucks]: Chicago's Mobile Vendors in an Epic Food Fight

Should the city of Chicago be in the business of protecting a few politically connected restaurateurs from competition?

That is the question to be answered by a major lawsuit filed Wednesday, November 14, 2012, in Cook County Circuit Court by the Institute for Justice (IJ)—a national public interest law firm—and three Chicago-area food truck entrepreneurs.

Cities nationwide are experiencing the benefits of food trucks. But for years Chicago had not embraced that movement. For example, Chicago did not allow cooking on food trucks and it told food truck entrepreneurs that they must stay more than 200 feet from brick-and-mortar restaurants. So in June 2012, when the city announced it would be revising its vending laws, food fans were excited.

The law that passed in July, however, continues to make it illegal for food trucks to operate within 200 feet of any fixed business that serves food. The fines for violating the 200-foot rule are up to $2,000—ten times higher than for parking in front of a fire hydrant. Further, the city is forcing food trucks to install GPS tracking devices that broadcast the trucks' every move. According to the Chicago Tribune, "the ordinance doesn't serve the needs of the lunch-seeking public. It benefits the brick-and-mortar eateries, whose owners don't want the competition."




The Institute for Justice is the nation's leading legal advocate for the rights of entrepreneurs. For more on the lawsuit, visit www.ij.org/vending.

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[jonescomplete]

this is the best summary of a legal case... well... ever.

[jonescomplete]

consumers demand portable food venues

city allows portable food venues

customer.... loses?

[Christopher Crespo]

Seven Hells! There's a Game Of Thrones for food? Damn you Joffery! Must you kill everything!

[nannyberries]

Have to have a GPS. Thats just wrong.

[Donnievil]

Love the presentation and the work of IJ. Keep it up!

[adangme]

$2000 ??? That's a little steep!

[Vijay Swearingen]

I have a very successful food truck biz in Milwaukee...yeah, this type of big money restrictions are exactly the reason why I'm going brick and mortar for future expansion. I would never sign off on legislation so "anti-American"...but it makes you think, what is America? Is it a propaganda machine creating the promise of false hopes and dreams?

[mechaphil]

Sounds like Charlie Parra del Riego's version of the GOT theme (which is best)

[Don Wilson]

You can go to ij.org to donate!  #FreeTheFoodTrucks

[stevemcgee99]

Awesome job on this video!

[DonCapoeira]

Agreed. It got me to watch. And it got me to sympathize with their cause. Where can I help/donate for the legal cause?

[3dlpcman]

Good point.