Kankakee County board approves higher health‑department food‑service fees for medium and high‑risk establishments
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Summary
The county board voted Nov. 10 to raise health‑department food‑service license fees: medium‑risk establishments from $350 to $400 annually and high‑risk from $400 to $500; low‑risk fees (e.g., bars) remain $250. Health officials said fees hadn’t increased since 2019.
The Kankakee County Board on Nov. 10 approved a resolution to raise annual food‑service licensing fees for medium‑ and high‑risk businesses.
John Beavis, administrator for the Kankakee County Health Department, explained the fee structure and introduced inspector Dana James to outline the risk categories. Under the adopted change, medium‑risk establishments — described by staff as chain restaurants and similar operations — will see fees increase from $350 to $400 per year; high‑risk establishments with larger or more complex food preparation will move from $400 to $500 annually. Low‑risk licenses, including bars, remain at $250.
Beavis told the board the last fee increase occurred in 2019 and that the department reviews fees every five to six years. "We're not looking to increase" the low‑risk category, he said.
Board members asked follow‑up questions before the measure passed on a roll‑call vote. The resolution recorded board agreement but did not specify an exact effective date within the meeting record.
The vote implements a modest, targeted fee increase that health officials said will help cover inspection and program costs that have been stable since 2019.