Mobile food service establishment FAQs

Go to apply for a mobile food service establishment permit to see full details of the application and permit process.  You can also contact:

• Fire Prevention Division at 217-342-5300 extension 5365
• Email Assistant Fire Chief Matthew Kulesza

• A full inspection of all the components of your mobile business will be conducted, including:
  • Trailer
  • Truck
  • Tent
  • Wagon
  • All other features, to include, but not limited to:
    • Cooking areas and appliances
    • Fire extinguishers
    • Carbon monoxide detectors
    • No smoking signs
    • Liquid propane tanks
    • Piping

Depending on the workload of involved staff, a permit is generally issued within a few days after the inspection.

Please allow at least a week to obtain an approval after your application has been submitted.

The annual fee to apply for a permit is $100.00, payable by cash, check, or money order.  We currently do not accept debit or credit cards.

This fee must be paid at the time of the inspection.

Approved permits are valid for one (1) year from date of approval.  You will receive a permit sticker which will expire at the end of 365 days.

A renewal application and inspection will need to be completed for existing permits prior to the expiration date.  The process for renewal is the same as applying for the original permit, and a new application and inspection must be completed.

Whether you need a hood or not depends upon which appliances you use.

Contact us for specifications and requirements for your individual needs:

• Fire Prevention Division at 217-342-5300 extension 5365
• Email Assistant Fire Chief Matthew Kulesza

• All vendors need one (1) 10 lb ABC extinguisher for all events
• All grease-related cooking requires a Purple K or Class K extinguisher in addition to the above

All vendors are required to have a working carbon monoxide detector.

Cooking appliances, generators and vehicle exhaust can enter cooking areas and cause sickness from carbon monoxide poisoning.  A carbon monoxide detector is designed to alert people to the presence of an increased amount of carbon monoxide before it reaches a deadly level.

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas which is formed by the incomplete combustion of fuels.

When people are exposed to carbon monoxide gas, the carbon monoxide molecules will displace the oxygen in their bodies and lead to poisoning.