Sycamore’s City Council recently adopted the state’s so-called “Cupcake Law.”The decision comes after several bakers faced shutdowns.
The law allows people to make products from home kitchens as long as sales don’t go above $1,000 per month. Sellers also have to label that the goods were made in a home kitchen.
But the so-called “Cupcake Law” only applies to cities and counties that adopt the measure. That’s why local officials were able to shutdown Amber Guarino’s home bakery in Sycamore.
“I always thought the cupcake law was for everybody, so that’s why I continued. Once I got shutdown, I realized, ‘I guess it’s not for the whole state of Illinois.’”
But now the measure is on the books in Sycamore, and Guarino is eager to get back to baking cake pops for special occasions.
“I am a stay-at-home mom so it helps me with providing for my family in a certain way. It’s nice right now for that little cushion to help.”
Home kitchens do not require licensing or regular inspections, but the health department will be allowed to inspect a home if there’s a complaint or disease outbreak.