Heavy cockroach activity leads to health department closing Whit's End

MACON, Ill. (WAND) - Heavy cockroach activity and signs of rodents were discovered in an inspection of Whit's End in Macon, the Macon County Health Department said.

The health department investigated the restaurant, located at 181 N. Wall St. in Macon, on Tuesday after receiving complaints in May. On May 17, health officials said a caller observed cockroaches on a counter and crawling up a kitchen wall in the building.

Health officials said they found heavy cockroach activity in the floor/baseboard behind the pizza oven and stove, in the cracks of baseboards and damaged walls and in the pizza production station, along with on the wheels/casters and motor housing of the production line reach-in cooler.

There was more heavy cockroach activity in the dish room behind damaged walls, in the cracks of baseboards and on the floor under the dish machine, per a MCHD report.

Moderate and light levels of cockroaches were in other areas of the building.

Inspectors said they also found rodent activity in the form of droppings and chewed equipment.

A caller told health officials employees used "bug bombs" in the facility, which is restricted. This treatment can only be used by a licensed pest control operator, per the MCHD, and an employee confirmed the "bug bombs" were used by a non-licensed person.

"Failure to apply correctly may result in chemical cross contamination of food/food contact surfaces," the report said.

To reopen, Whit's End must create an effective pest management plan, increase sanitation measures and make repairs to damaged walls and baseboards, submit a corrective action plan in writing and pay a $250 reinspection fine. Health officials said that corrective action plan will then be reviewed, at which time the health department can be contacted for reinspection.

A reinspection has not yet been scheduled as of Friday.

The manager of Whit's End reached out to WAND News and said the restaurant has passed the reinspection process and will reopen. The station has not yet confirmed this with the Macon County Health Department.

See the full inspection report in a PDF document attached to this story. It contains more pictures.