This is general information, not legal or tax advice. Permit and tax rules change, and your situation may differ. Always confirm current requirements with the official state agency linked in this guide, and consult a licensed attorney or tax professional for advice about your specific business.Last verified against official state sources: 2026-06-11
Yes, annual registration with the local health department where you live, with the fee capped by statute at $50. The law requires the local health department to register any eligible operation, and your registration number and county appear on your labels.
Yes, and more than most states: the person preparing cottage food must be a Certified Food Protection Manager (an ANSI-accredited ~8-hour course plus exam). Basic food handler training is not sufficient in Illinois.
Illinois uses a broad prohibited-list model: any food or drink not on the banned list, including baked goods, candies, jams, dried herbs and teas, granola, and, unusually, fermented and acidified foods like pickles, salsas, and kimchi, plus home-canned tomatoes, provided you use a tested recipe from USDA or an extension service (or lab-test the recipe). Limited dairy and egg use is allowed in baked goods.
Meat, poultry, and seafood products; dairy and eggs except in baked goods; pumpkin, sweet potato, custard, and cream pies; cheesecake; garlic in oil unless properly acidified; low-acid canned foods; sprouts; cut fresh tomato or melon; wild-harvested mushrooms; alcoholic beverages; and kombucha.
Direct to consumer only, by the owner, a family member, or an employee: farmers markets, fairs, festivals, public events, online sales, home or farm pickup, and delivery. Shipping is allowed within Illinois only, and wholesale or retail-establishment sales are banned.
Labels need: the operation's name and local government unit, the registration number and where registration was filed, the product's common name, ingredients by weight, federal allergen labeling, the date processed, and the disclosure that the product was made in a home kitchen not inspected by a health department that may also process common allergens. IDPH publishes a labeling checklist.
Cottage food sellers are Illinois retailers and generally register with IDOR. The 1 percent state grocery tax was eliminated January 1, 2026, but 600+ municipalities and counties adopted their own 1 percent local grocery tax, so grocery-type food is still taxed at 1 percent in many places. Candy and food prepared for immediate consumption are taxed at the full general rate, so check each event location.
The statute limits home rule: local governments may not regulate cottage food inconsistently with state law, though registration paperwork and fees (up to the $50 cap) vary by county health department.
Local health departments and IDPH can investigate health concerns, order you to stop selling, and revoke registration if a problem cannot be remedied.
Selling non-food crafts too? See the Illinois craft fair permit and sales tax guide.
Yes, under Illinois Cottage Food Operation law (410 ILCS 625/4, overhauled by PA 102-0633, the Home-to-Market Act, effective 2022). Yes, annual registration with the local health department where you live, with the fee capped by statute at $50. The law requires the local health department to register any eligible operation, and your registration number and county appear on your labels.
Illinois uses a broad prohibited-list model: any food or drink not on the banned list, including baked goods, candies, jams, dried herbs and teas, granola, and, unusually, fermented and acidified foods like pickles, salsas, and kimchi, plus home-canned tomatoes, provided you use a tested recipe from USDA or an extension service (or lab-test the recipe). Limited dairy and egg use is allowed in baked goods. Meat, poultry, and seafood products; dairy and eggs except in baked goods; pumpkin, sweet potato, custard, and cream pies; cheesecake; garlic in oil unless properly acidified; low-acid canned foods; sprouts; cut fresh tomato or melon; wild-harvested mushrooms; alcoholic beverages; and kombucha.
No. Illinois places no annual cap on cottage food sales.
Direct to consumer only, by the owner, a family member, or an employee: farmers markets, fairs, festivals, public events, online sales, home or farm pickup, and delivery. Shipping is allowed within Illinois only, and wholesale or retail-establishment sales are banned.
Labels need: the operation's name and local government unit, the registration number and where registration was filed, the product's common name, ingredients by weight, federal allergen labeling, the date processed, and the disclosure that the product was made in a home kitchen not inspected by a health department that may also process common allergens. IDPH publishes a labeling checklist.
Cottage food sellers are Illinois retailers and generally register with IDOR. The 1 percent state grocery tax was eliminated January 1, 2026, but 600+ municipalities and counties adopted their own 1 percent local grocery tax, so grocery-type food is still taxed at 1 percent in many places. Candy and food prepared for immediate consumption are taxed at the full general rate, so check each event location.
Browse upcoming craft fairs and markets in Illinois with booth fees and application deadlines, and use the booth ROI calculator to plan a profitable season.
Last verified: 2026-06-11. Spotted something out of date? Let us know.