SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Food trucks in Springfield, Illinois will have to set up shop away from brick-and-mortar restaurants under new city rules.
The Springfield City Council approved restrictions this week requiring mobile food vendors to set up at least 300 feet away from existing restaurants. In a designated downtown zone the distance is 50 feet.
The (Springfield) State Journal-Register reports that the tension between vendors and restaurant owners was on display at Wednesday’s City Council meeting.
An attorney for the operators of MJ’s Fish & Chicken Express told aldermen the regulations could have a “negative or fatal” effect on the business. The food truck pays rent to set up on another business’ property. But it’s close to a Chinese restaurant.
The owner of China One contends she’s lost business as a result.
