By Heart of Illinois ABC
BLOOMINGTON – The McLean County Health Department might soon have the power to suspend food permits for restaurants not complying with COVID-19 safety measures.
The Board of Health Wednesday night directed its legal team to look into the pros and cons of new regulations as the arrival of college students in the Twin-Cities caused a spike in cases and in test positivity rates.
Health department staffers said they’ve received many complaints about businesses unwilling to enforce social distancing or mask-wearing guidelines at their establishments.
“I wouldn’t seek to close a business permanently,” said Tom Anderson, the health department’s Director of Environmental Health.
“There are some businesses that hold food permits that just don’t seem to want to comply,” said Anderson.
“A temporary suspension would be the first recommendation,” he said.
Municipalities like Bloomington and Normal can pull liquor licenses, but the county health department has authority over food permits.
Health board member Sonja Reece, who used to serve on the Normal Town Council, said there’s a need to clarify responsibilities among governmental agencies.
“I now observe at the municipality level, there isn’t a clear understanding of the authority of the mayor , and the city council to take action,” said Reece.
“They’re pointing back to the health department, and so we can’t just go back-and-forth looking to each other and saying, ‘it’s your job. No it’s your job,”‘ Reece said.
The health board might call for a special meeting to take action.
“I do think it’s a good to investigate and make sure we have all the tools in the tool box to enforce this stuff because, as everybody sees, our numbers keep going up,” said Susan Schafer, who’s the county board’s representative on the health board.
County Board members Elizabeth Johnston and Laurie Wollrab, both Democrats, and Bloomington City Council member Julie Emig all wrote letters to the health board calling for stronger measures to combat the virus.
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