Read more about the article COVID-19 hampers food distribution at Eastern Illinois FoodbankNaomi Diaz
Eastern Illinois Foodbank's trucks at its facility in Urbana on North Shore Drive.

COVID-19 hampers food distribution at Eastern Illinois Foodbank

Pre-pandemic, Eastern Illinois Foodbank provided food and grocery products to 100,000 people in 18 different Eastern counties in Illinois. Today, they project the number of those in need to increase by 63,000. The foodbank expects the second wave of COVID-19 will continue to increase the need for “emergency food,” and they are preparing for just that.

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Read more about the article As health inspections change, departments debate enforcementDarrell Hoemann/CU-CitizenAccess.org
Jim Roberts of the Champaign-Urbana Health District holds up a sample placard as county board members discussed whether restaurants in the county should be required to display inspection placards on August 21, 2014.

As health inspections change, departments debate enforcement

Starting July 1, inspections will change.

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Read more about the article Champaign County nursing home among 18 food spots to fail health inspectionsAP
Ambar India on Sunday, October 16, 2016. photo by Darrell Hoemann/C-U Citizen Access

Champaign County nursing home among 18 food spots to fail health inspections

A moldy ice chute, food preparation areas with pesticides stored above them and storage coolers occupied by houseflies and moths were among the worst violations leading to closures and failures of eateries across the county since July. In total, 18 establishments were closed or failed inspections for serious health code violations between July 1 and Sept. 30, according to a review of inspection records.

Continue ReadingChampaign County nursing home among 18 food spots to fail health inspections
Read more about the article Health inspectors temporarily close hospital cafeteria
Presence Covenant Hospital in Urbana on July 27, 2016.

Health inspectors temporarily close hospital cafeteria

Health inspectors shut down the cafeteria at Presence Covenant Medical Center, 1400 W. Park St., Urbana, on May 10 after they noted a repeated critical violation – sewage wastewater backing up from the floor drain underneath a hand sink into the grill area.

Continue ReadingHealth inspectors temporarily close hospital cafeteria
Read more about the article Health department temporarily closes seven spots, cites several for health violationsDarrell Hoemann/CU-CitizenAccess.org
The exterior of Dublin O'Neil's and 301 Mongolia restaurants on Neil Street in Champaign on July 25, 2016.

Health department temporarily closes seven spots, cites several for health violations

Sewage wastewater backup, cockroach infestation and houseflies “too numerous to count” were among the violations leading to closures and failures of eateries across the county since April. In total, 20 establishments were cited for serious or critical health code violations between April 1 and June 30, according to a review of inspection records.

Continue ReadingHealth department temporarily closes seven spots, cites several for health violations
Read more about the article Health violations lead to temporary closure of Champaign Country Club kitchen
The Champaign Country Club on May 23, 2016. Public health inspectors temporary closed the club's kitchen in early May after citing several critical violations.

Health violations lead to temporary closure of Champaign Country Club kitchen

Health officials shut down the food facility at The Champaign Country Club this month after inspectors found more than two dozen violations. The club received an adjusted score of negative 6 during the routine inspection on May 11 and was immediately closed, according to Champaign-Urbana Public Health District records. In its previous inspection on Dec. 9, the club was allowed to stay open with a score of 1, though it failed after an inspector cited it for seven critical violations and 24 non-critical violations.

Continue ReadingHealth violations lead to temporary closure of Champaign Country Club kitchen
Read more about the article 39 restaurants fail inspections over 10 month period; 11 establishments closed for violationsDarrell Hoemann
B Won restaurant in Champaign on Wednesday, February 24, 2016. photo by Darrell Hoemann/C-U Citizen Access

39 restaurants fail inspections over 10 month period; 11 establishments closed for violations

Ants on the wall, a live cockroach next to a meat grinder, fruit flies “too numerous to count” and a bucket of bloody juice were some of the worst violations over a ten-month period in Champaign County restaurants. In total, 39 restaurants in Champaign County failed health inspections - several more than once – from June 2015 to April 2016, according to a review of inspection records. An additional 7 restaurants failed and were temporarily closed. Four others were closed because of non-payment of annual fees or missing paperwork

Continue Reading39 restaurants fail inspections over 10 month period; 11 establishments closed for violations

Six food establishments closed for not paying, renewing permits

In the past four months, the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District shut down seven restaurantsbecause of issues that put customers at risk. But it also shut down six food establishments because owners or managers did not pay health permit fees or submit a permit application. One restaurant is still closed.

Continue ReadingSix food establishments closed for not paying, renewing permits
Read more about the article Health inspectors temporarily shut down seven Champaign County restaurants, failed seven othersDarrell Hoemann
Ichiban Buffett, 105 N. Mattis, Champaign, Illinois on Tuesday, June 2, 2015. photo by Darrell Hoemann/C-U Citizen Access

Health inspectors temporarily shut down seven Champaign County restaurants, failed seven others

A Champaign restaurant received one of the worst health inspection scores on record after inspectors found dried meat and blood on its wall in April. Inspectors closed Ichiban Buffet, located at 105 N. Mattis Avenue in Champaign, after it received a -56 out of 100 on its April 27 health inspection.

Continue ReadingHealth inspectors temporarily shut down seven Champaign County restaurants, failed seven others