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

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Training order deadline
Up to 90 days from date of violation
CFPM required for
Category 1 and Category 2 food establishments
Temporary events
CFPM or food handler certificate satisfies § 91.66
Max fine
Up to $500 per violation, § 91.99
Enforcing agency
Macon County Health Department Health Authority

Summary

Macon County does not require every food worker to carry a certificate up front, but the Health Authority can order any food handler whose work habits threaten public health to complete a certified food manager or food handler training course, with up to 90 days to finish it.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Macon County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

The Health Authority may order any food handler to attend certified food manager or food handler training course, when in the judgment of the Health Authority, the work habits of the food handler constitute a hazard to public health. The Health Authority may impose a time period not to exceed 90 days for completion of the training from date of violation.

Full Breakdown

51 of the county's Food Sanitation Code gives the Health Authority discretionary power, not a blanket credential mandate: if the work habits of a food handler at a permitted establishment constitute a hazard to public health, the Health Authority may order that person to attend a certified food manager or food handler training course, and may set a deadline of up to 90 days from the date of the violation to finish it. 21: any establishment the Health Authority classifies as Category 1 or Category 2, meaning it presents a high or moderate relative risk of causing foodborne illness based on the number and type of food-handling operations, must have a Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) on staff as a condition of that classification.

06 as someone who has completed an Illinois Department of Public Health approved or ANSI-accredited food service sanitation manager training program, passed the certifying exam, and holds a valid certificate. 66 requires at least one person in charge to show documentation of completed food safety training, and either a CFPM credential or a food handler training certificate satisfies that requirement. 26.

Violations & Fines

Ignoring a Health Authority order under § 91.51 to complete food handler or manager training within the assigned window, up to 90 days, can lead to permit suspension under § 91.25 or revocation under § 91.26. General chapter 91 violations, including operating a Category 1 or 2 establishment without the required Certified Food Protection Manager, are punishable under § 91.99(A) by a fine of up to $500 per violation, with each day counted separately.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does every food worker in Macon County need a certification?
Not automatically. Section 91.51 lets the Health Authority order training only when a specific food handler's work habits create a health hazard, giving up to 90 days to complete it. Category 1 and Category 2 establishments, the higher-risk types under § 91.21, are the ones required to keep a Certified Food Protection Manager on staff at all times.
What counts as a valid food safety certification?
Section 91.06 defines a Certified Food Protection Manager as someone who completed an Illinois Department of Public Health approved or ANSI-accredited training program, passed the certification exam, and holds a valid certificate. For a temporary event permit under § 91.66, a food handler training certificate is also accepted, not just a full CFPM credential.
What happens if the Health Authority orders training and it isn't completed?
Failure to complete Health Authority-ordered training within the deadline set under § 91.51, up to 90 days, can support suspension of the food establishment's permit under § 91.25 or revocation under § 91.26. General chapter violations also carry a fine of up to $500 per day under § 91.99.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Macon County

All Macon County rules

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