November 22, 2024
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Will County gives break to food establishments on permit late fees

By Alex Ortiz
Will County restaurant business

Will County officials approved a postponement of late fees on any food operator failing to pay their permit fees by the Dec. 31 deadline. (Geoff Stellfox for Shaw Media/Geoff Stellfox)

County officials have granted a break for food establishments in Will County struggling as restrictions remain in place to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus.

The Will County Board and Board of Health approved an ordinance change to not charge a food establishment for paying its permit fee late after Dec. 31, according to a news release. Operators must still pay their permit fee in order to be in operation.

“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,” said Tom Casey, the Will County Health Department Environmental Health director, in the release. “Only food operators operating without a permit after March 1st will be assessed the late fee.”

State officials implemented mitigations this fall, including a ban on indoor service and bars and restaurants, as the rate of COVID-19 infections began to increase significantly.

“The state-implemented COVID-19 restrictions are seriously impacting restaurant owners,” said Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant in the release. “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.”

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

The County Board also voted Tuesday to extend the renewal fee due dates for liquor licenses to March 1 and Sept. 1 of next year. The original deadlines were Jan. 1 and July 1.

This change only applies to liquor licenses issued in unincorporated areas of Will County, according to a news release.

“Today’s action at our special board meeting offers relief to our local businesses while not placing a larger burden on our taxpayers,” said Minority Leader Mike Fricilone, R-Homer Glen, in the release.

For more information on environmental food safety in Will County, visit willcountyhealth.org/food-safety.

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