Chicago is one of the few major U.S cities that bans street vendors from selling prepared foods, except in parks. New York, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Denver and Austin, for example, all allow some form of street vending on their sidewalks. The Chicago city council is considering a measure to do away with the ban. If it passes, it would mean safer conditions and more economic opportunity for vendors who now risk fines and even arrests. But as Colleen Pellissier reports, there are strong feelings on both sides.

Photo courtesy of Colleen Pellissier