The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) is committed to protecting the public’s health by conducting science-based inspections of all food establishments. CDPH Sanitarians conduct inspections for new businesses, existing businesses and in response to a complaint.
New food establishments, or a transfer of ownership, that are applying for a business license must pass a health inspection by CDPH before the license will be issued. After an application for a license has been filed with the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection, a health inspector from the CDPH will contact the applicant to arrange for an inspection. The applicant can schedule an appointment with the Health representative at the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection at 312.744.5430, 312.74.GOBIZ (744.6249). During the inspection, the health inspector will assess the types of food that will be prepared and the methods used for preparing and serving the food. This information will be used to assign a ‘risk-level’ – risk 1, 2 or 3 – to the food establishment. This risk level will be used to determine how frequent a food establishment needs to be inspected.
Once a food establishment is licensed and operating, a health inspector will periodically conduct unannounced inspections. The frequency of these inspections is based on the risk level assigned to the establishment. In general, risk 1 establishments are inspected twice per year, risk 2 establishments once per year, and risk 3 establishments every other year. If problems are identified, the establishment may face fines or possible closure, depending on the severity of the problems.
CDPH receives around 4,000 complaints against food establishments each year. In response, CDPH health inspectors conduct unannounced inspections at the establishment.