Environmental Health
The Environmental Health Division is responsible for: the preservation and improvement of the environment; safety of food products; assurance of proper sewage disposal; protection of potable water supplies; elimination of nuisances or environmental hazards in the community; investigation of and education about West Nile Virus; and tanning salon, geothermal system, and body art and tattoo parlor inspections. Division staff members work to minimize environmental problems within the county through public education programs as well as through the enforcement of local and state ordinances.
Programs and Services:
Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are small, flat insects that feed on the blood of sleeping people and animals. They are reddish-brown in color, wingless, and can range in size. They can survive up to 18 months without feeding. If you cannot identify whether or not the pest you have is a bed bug, contact a local pest control company to have them identify the pest. Remember, it is easier to treat when you first notice the problem than to let it go on.
Forms & Resources
Body Art and Tattoo Inspections
MCHD staff operate within the guidelines of this program to establish standards to protect the health, safety and general welfare of the people of Macon County through regulation of persons owning body art establishments, individuals performing body art procedures, and establishments where body art procedures are performed. For more information, please call us at (217) 423-6988 ext: 1134.
Forms & Resources
Closed Loop Well Inspections
MCHD staff inspect all closed loop well systems after installation to obtain proper measurements and plots. All systems must be permitted and must use food grade propylene glycol as the coolant. A comprehensive inspection of the contractor is done once per year. For more information, please call us at (217) 423-6988 ext: 1134.
Forms & Resources
Food Safety & Restaurant Inspections
MCHD staff conduct necessary inspections of permanent, mobile food truck, and temporary food service locations at least once per year. During these visits, staff educate food service workers about the actions necessary to ensure food safety and limit food borne illness in Macon County by identifying, reducing, and whenever possible, eliminating factors that may cause food borne illness. For more information, please call us at (217) 423-6988 ext: 1134.
Codes, Guidelines & Inspections
Applications
Food permits may be mailed, emailed to surquhart@maconchd.org or hand delivered.
Food Establishment Safety Resources
Safety Resources
Cottage Food Operation
This program registers operators working under the Cottage Food Operation Law. This law was created to allow some foods to be made in home kitchens and sold at Illinois farmers markets with limited regulation. The purpose of this law is to promote and support the Illinois agriculture and cottage food industries. For a complete list of the foods allowed to be sold and/or to access additional information, please read the Food Handling Regulation Enforcement Act. For more information about Cottage Food Operation, please call us at (217) 423-6988 ext: 1134.
Food Trucks
The food truck ordinance will be updated again once it is entered into Macon County codification.
Private Sewage Inspection Systems
The goal of this program is to eliminate disease and nuisances from improperly treated sewage from onsite wastewater disposal systems. To ensure sewage disposal systems are properly installed and operated, our staff review plans and issue permits for septic systems; inspect construction and installation of septic systems; monitor and inspect septic pumpers. For more information, please call us at (217) 423-6988 ext: 1134.
Forms & Resources
Smoke-Free Illinois Act
The Smoke-Free Illinois Act was enacted on January 1, 2008, and prohibits smoking in enclosed public places and places of employment as well as within 15 feet of entrances, exits, windows that open and ventilation intakes. E-cigarettes were added to the act beginning January 1, 2024. Our Environmental Health Division partners with our Division of Health Promotion and Public Relations to enforce this act and issue citations when appropriate. For more information about the Smoke-Free Illinois Act, please call (217) 423-6988 ext: 1134
Tanning Facility Inspections
MCHD staff conduct tanning facility inspections on new facilities, routine inspections, and complaint inspections. Routine inspections are conducted at least once annually to determine compliance with various provisions including: equipment labeling and general operation; verification of appropriate ultraviolet lamps; accurate equipment timers; clients’ use of protective eye-wear; trained operators on duty; and record-keeping of clients. Inspectors may place embargoes on tanning units observed that present a health hazard, and they may remove the units from service until they are found to be in compliance upon re-inspection. For more information, please call us at (217) 423-6988 ext: 1134.
Well Inspections
Private Water Wells
Environmental Health staff conduct activities with the goal to protect groundwater from contamination and to provide a safe, potable water supply. To ensure water supplies are properly installed and operated, our staff do the following: review plans and issue permits for private water wells; monitor the abandonment of wells to ensure proper sealing; sample and monitor non-community water supply systems; and sample private water supplies for laboratory analysis.
Sampling
We offer well water testing for total coliform bacteria and nitrates. The laboratory method used is a presence/absence method for the identification of coliform bacteria which are used as an indicator of the bacterial quality of water. Testing for coliform bacteria will reveal whether your water supply may be contaminated with infectious organisms, but it will not provide a direct measure of pathogenic or disease-causing bacteria.
Abandoned Wells
An abandoned well is defined as a water or monitoring well which is no longer used to supply water, or is in such a state of disrepair that the well or boring has the potential for transmitting contaminants into an aquifer or otherwise threatens the public health or safety. A water well that is no longer used and not properly maintained can serve as a route for surface water run-off to contaminate the aquifer and hence cause pollution of your own and other wells in the area.
West Nile Virus
Each year, we strive to inform residents about personal prevention, which is the first line of defense against West Nile Virus (WNV) or other mosquito-borne diseases or illnesses. Our program staff members also provide WNV training to community officials and leaders throughout Macon County. For more information and/or to inquire about the testing of dead birds for West Nile Virus, please call (217) 423-6988 ext: 1134.
Tips to Reduce Your Risk of Being Bitten by a Mosquito:
- If you go outdoors, wear shoes, socks, long-sleeved shirts, and long pants. Loose-fitting, light-colored clothing is best.
- Use insect repellent containing 25-35% DEET when outdoors, applied sparingly to exposed skin or clothing, as indicated on the repellent label.
- The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that repellents used on children contain no more than 10% DEET, the active ingredient in mosquito repellents. Consult your physician before using repellents on young children or infants.
- Make sure window and door screens are “bug-tight.”
- Stay indoors at dawn, dusk, and in the early evening when mosquitoes are most active.