The purpose of the swimming facility program is to protect, promote and preserve
the public health, safety and general welfare by the enforcement
of minimum State
of Illinois standards (77 Ill. Adm. Code 820, Illinois Swimming
Facility Code) for safety, cleanliness and general sanitation
at Illinois swimming facilities that are located within suburban
Cook County.
The Cook County Department of Public Health has signed an agency
agreement with the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) to
perform the license inspection for 11 types of public swimming features
that are located throughout suburban Cook County. The Department
inspects indoor and outdoor swimming pools, wading pools, therapy
pools, spas, lazy rivers and certain water slides. Facilities with
the following deficiencies are not eligible for a license: Perimeter
overflow system or skimmers inoperable, malfunctioning or in need
of repair; water depth markings not provided as required or not
legible; substantial repairs required to the pool deck; deck drain
covers missing or in need of repair; flow meter missing, malfunctioning
or in need of repair; pump gauges missing, malfunctioning or in
need of repair; filter gauges missing, malfunctioning or in need
of repair; stair contrast markings missing or not legible; and,
handrails missing or in need of repair. Deficiencies of Section
820.330 of the Illinois Swimming Facility Code may also result in
a license being withheld and/or pool closure.
In addition to performing license inspections, staff will respond
to public complaints, incidents of alleged waterborne illness, an
injury requiring hospitalization or a drowning. Environmental staff
will also provide consultation to swimming pool operators who have
questions concerning operational requirements of the code. All calls
concerning public swimming pools should be made to the CCDPH Main
Office at (708) 492-2035.
