Elgin expected to discuss ending ice cream truck ban
Elgin council members Wednesday are expected to discuss ending the city's 45-year-ban on ice cream trucks.
Jim Cremeens, an ice cream truck owner and Elgin resident, had approached city officials last summer asking for loosening of regulations. A discussion about a draft ordinance initially was expected in the fall. Cremeens said he followed up several times and finally was told the discussion would take place next week at the city council's committee of the whole meeting.
"I can confirm we intend to present an item for council consideration next week to permit ice cream trucks, subject to compliance with certain rules and regulations," Community Development Director Marc Mylott said Thursday.
Mylott declined to give more details until the city council agenda is made public.
Cremeens said he was told the proposed ordinance would require a seasonal permit from the Kane County Health Department and a background check, and would restrict food trucks from parking near schools and within a certain distance from city activities.
Cremeens said his plan was to take the truck out for the season in April, so the timing is great. "For me, this is fantastic," he said.
Cremeens said he didn't know about the Elgin ban when he started driving an ice cream truck in May 2017 after he retired from a job in sales.
He sold ice cream in Elgin for two weeks - sales were gangbusters, he said - until police stopped him and told him about the ban.