Food Protection Program (FAQ)

All Evanston facilities that include food preparation, service, or sales to the public, even when those food operations are not the principal use of the facility. Including but not limited to restaurants, convenience stores, schools, churches, caterers, day care centers, gas stations, and senior living residences. 

They receive a food establishment license valid until December 31 of the current year.

Food establishments need only the food establishment license, not the general business license. For more information about the general business license, click here.

First -- be aware that you cannot operate without a valid license. A license is valid only if the person, corporation, partnership, etc., to whom the license was issued is still the legal owner of the business.

If you are considering purchasing an existing business or opening a new business, please contact the Licensing Coordinator. This consultation can answer many of your questions and confirm that the proposed space accommodates the type of business you want to operate. Whether you're taking over an existing business or building from the ground up,  a pre-application consultation to discuss your plans is a great investment of your time.  The Environmental Health team manages the licensing process and performs the final inspection when you are ready to open.

The Zoning Department approves the structure and the use of the structure for the district in which it is located. Contact zoning@cityofevanston.org for information. Your application cannot move forward without Zoning's approval.

If remodeling or construction is needed before opening, a Building Permit is required.  Additionally, the Health & Human Services Department (HHS) requires a Food Establishment Facility Review Packet, equipment specification sheets, a description of the scope of food-related operations, and a plan review fee. We recommend that you refer to the Food Service Facility Design & Construction Manual to help complete the Plan Review form. The Building Division requires its own forms and fees. Please go to the Building Permit Process or call (847) 448-4311 for complete information. Both Building and HHS must approve the plans before a building permit will be issued and construction can begin. 

The food establishment license is issued only after Building, Plumbing, Fire, and Health & Human Services have signed off, payments are made, all ownership and contact information is confirmed with Health & Human Services, and, in some cases, a Certificate of Occupancy is issued.

Each establishment is categorized by risk. Risk is determined by the layout of the establishment, the menu, and the way that the establishment prepares food. Restaurants are categorized as Category 1, Category 2, and Category 3. 

Risk Category Descriptions

Category 1: These facilities have extensive menus and complex food processes that include preparing (washing, cutting), cooking, cooling, and reheating of food. These facilities are inspected at least three times a year.

Category 2: These facilities are not as complex as Category 1; typically, food is delivered frozen or refrigerated, then stored at the establishment. Food is made per order and served or delivered to the customer. Food is not cooled or reheated at these facilities. Category 2 facilities are inspected a minimum of once a year.

Category 3: These facilities are the least complex and do not handle or cook food. A typical Category 3 establishment is a gas station that has packaged food and sells milk. Category 3 facilities are inspected at least of once a year.

Starting in January, 2019 as mandated by the State of Illinois, the City of Evanston Health and Human Services will start using the current FDA Code for inspections and enforcement.

A Licensed Environmental Health Practitioners (L.E.H.P.) trained in all areas of Environmental Health assesses each establishment at the time of inspection. If the food handling practices of the restaurant greatly increase the risk of a food-borne illness, the restaurant is closed immediately.

If your symptoms are severe or do not improve, go to the hospital.

Whenever a patron of an Evanston Food Establishment becomes ill after eating, it is important to report it to the Health & Human Services Department at (847) 448-4311 as soon as possible. 

You will be asked about:
symptoms
incubation
event information
You will also be asked about a 3-day food history, as many of the food-borne illnesses occur 6-72 hours after the first symptoms appear.
age
occupation The 
medication you are taking 
Name 
Phone number
 



During the interview, you will also be asked for some essential personal information that will help during the investigation. You will be asked age, occupation, and what medications you take currently. In addition, it is important that you give your name and phone number in case there are additional questions or more people are sick. You may be the only one in your party that became ill, but others who ate at the establishment while you were there may have become ill as well.

Within one working day of the reported illness, an Licensed Environmental Health Practitioners (L.E.H.P.) will perform an on-site inspection of the establishment. This inspection is somewhat different than our routine inspections.

When a food-borne illness is investigated, the inspector will follow the suspected foods (foods that are believed to have caused the illness) from delivery at the establishment to your plate.

More information can be obtained at the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention

No, please go to our webpage for information Food Service Manager and Food Handler Certification.

In addition to these regularly schedule training sessions, inspectors will often educate employees and managers during their inspections. Our inspectors encourage foodservice managers to ask questions and request in-services on food protection topics.