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The COVID-19 pandemic has caused much hardship for food establishment owners and operators.  A revision to the WCHD’s (Will County Health Department) Food Ordinance, designed to offer assistance, has now been passed by both the Will County Board of Health and Will County Board.

WCHD Environmental Health Director Tom Casey says that while food operators must still pay their permit fee in order to be in operation, anyone failing to pay their permit fee that is due by December 31, 2020 will not be charged a late fee.

“Anyone not paying their regular fee will be considered ‘operating without a valid food permit’ and will need to cease operations until it is paid in full.  Only food operators operating without a permit after March 1st will be assessed the late fee.”

“The state-implemented COVID-19 restrictions are seriously impacting restaurant owners,” said Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant.  “Some have already been forced to close their doors.  We hope delaying some of these late fees will help these owners continue to operate their businesses and regain their livelihoods.”

Casey added that the postponement of the late fees will also apply to mobile food operators who operate throughout the year.

Please go to the WCHD website at https://willcountyhealth.org/food-safety/ for more on environmental food safety.

For questions about Will County Food Establishment Permits, please call 815-727-8490.