Itasca restaurant reopens after diners there became ill

A restaurant at Itasca Country Club reopened Thursday after being closed for several days because an unspecified number of people who dined there last weekend became ill, authorities said.

DuPage County Health Department officials say they are investigating complaints of illness from people who ate at events at the Fox & Turtle last weekend. They said the management of the Fox & Turtle notified them on Monday about the situation.

Sanitarians from environmental health services inspected the facility on Monday and told its management that the restaurant could reopen. But officials said the decision was made by the Fox & Turtle "to keep the facility closed to review all operations and sanitation procedures."

The Fox & Turtle reopened at 11 a.m. Thursday.

Health department officials said they don't know how many people became ill. The cause is being investigated.

In the meantime, sanitarians will continue working with the facility as needed to provide guidance on safe food practices, officials said.

On Friday, Itasca Country Club officials said in an email that they are "100% committed to working with the DuPage County Health Department on this matter and that the health and safety of our patrons is of paramount importance to us."

Authorities are asking anyone who became ill after eating at the Fox & Turtle to call the DuPage County Health Department at (630) 682-7400.