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

Skokie Village Code Section 54-323, in the food permit division of the health and sanitation chapter, requires every applicant for a food service establishment permit to provide the Health Department with evidence of compliance with the State Department of Public Health's food handler certification requirements before the village will act on the application. This sits inside a broader permit process: Section 54-321 makes it unlawful to operate a food service establishment, food vending machine, or food delivery vehicle in the village without a valid food permit; Section 54-322 requires the application to be made on Village Manager forms; and Section 54-324 obligates the village to act on a complete application within 30 days.

Section 54-326 requires the Village Manager or designee to inspect the establishment before issuing the permit to confirm compliance with all applicable village, state and federal codes, and Section 54-327 requires the issued permit to be posted permanently and conspicuously in the establishment. The certification requirement is layered on top of Skokie's adoption, in Section 54-297, of the Illinois Food Service Sanitation Code (Title 77, Chapter 1, Part 750 of the Illinois Administrative Code) as the substantive sanitation standard the Health Department inspects against under Section 54-296.

A permit issued without the required certification evidence is subject to the same suspension and revocation process that applies to any other permit violation: under Section 54-328, the Village Manager may suspend a permit for failure to comply with applicable codes, and may order immediate closure if there is an immediate danger to public health, with revocation following written notice, a right to request a hearing within 7 days, and reinstatement available once a reinspection confirms the deficiency is corrected.