Cicero, IL Public Health Rules: Food Handler Certification (2026)

Section 46-222 conditions both operation and licensing of a food establishment on filing proof with the health department of a state department of public health certificate in food service sanitation, or proof of enrollment in a state-certified program that leads to that certificate. The town builds in a three-month period from the time an establishment opens for the operator to actually complete the sanitation program if they started with only proof of enrollment. This certification requirement sits inside Division 3 (Sanitation) of the food establishments article, alongside related health-screening rules in Section 46-223, which separately requires food handlers to have an annual tuberculosis exam and current hepatitis A vaccination (or a blood test showing no vaccination is needed) on file with the establishment, available to the health department on demand.

Section 46-223 also bars anyone with tuberculosis, a communicable disease, boils, infected wounds or acute intestinal disorders from working in any food-contact capacity, and requires the operator to notify the health department immediately if an employee is suspected of carrying a communicable disease. 00 per offense and can lead to revocation of the establishment's business license under the procedures in Chapter 26.