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School · Chicago, IL

Charles Darwin Elementary School

3116 W Belden

Last inspected Sep 15, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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More issues recentlyThe latest inspection recorded more violations than the one before it. Review the dated records below.

The full inspection history

3 inspections

Canvass

Sep 15, 2026

Pass w/ Conditions

12 recorded violations

notedCode 5Other

Official wording

PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

Inspector’s notes

FOUND MISSING ITEM (APPROPRIATE SANITIZER THAT IS EFFECTIVE AGAINST NOROVIRUS) AS OUTLINED IN THE NECCESSARY CLEAN-UP ITEMS.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE INCLUDING PROCEDURE/PLAN FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. (***SEE COMMENTS).

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding
notedCode 22Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED TURKEY AND CHEESE SANDWICHES AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE AT 50.7-51.2F STORED IN THE FRONT PREP DISPLAY COOLER. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN ALL COLD TCS FOODS 41F OR COLDER AT ALL TIMES.MANAGEMENT VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED APPROXIMATELY 2#'S OF FOOD WORTH $10.PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005.(***SEE COMMENTS).

In plain English

Food was not kept cold enough, hot enough, cooled fast enough, or cooked or reheated to the right temperature. Bacteria grow quickly in the "danger zone" between 41°F and 135°F, which makes this one of the most important food-safety checks.

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature
notedCode 36Equipment and utensils

Official wording

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO THERMOMETER INSIDE THE FRONT PREP DISPLAY UNIT CONSPICUOUSLY POSTED TO MONITOR THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OF EQUIPMENT.INSTRUCTED TO EQUIP ALL REFRIGERATION UNITS WITH ACCURATE AND WORKING THERMOMETERS AND MAINTAIN.

In plain English

Equipment, utensils, thermometers, cutting boards, or single-use items were not in good condition, not the right type, or not stored properly.

More about equipment or utensil issues
notedCode 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED WATER TEMPERATURE AT HANDWASHING SINK AT FAR RIGHT SIDE REACHING 74.6F INSIDE THE 1ST FLOOR BOYS WASHROOM ADJACENT TO THE LUNCHROOM.INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN PROPER MINIMUM WATER TEMPERATURE OF 100.0F.THE OTHER HANDWASHING SINK INSIDE SAID WASHROOM WAS AT PROPER TEMPERATURE AT THIS TIME OF INSPECTION.(ENGINEER WAS MADE AWARE).

In plain English

The business had issues with hot or cold running water, plumbing, drains, backflow prevention, or sewage disposal. Some of these, like no hot water, can force a temporary closure until fixed.

More about water, plumbing, or sewage problems
notedCode 54Facility maintenance

Official wording

GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED THE OUTSIDE GARBAGE DUMPSTER OVERFLOWING WITH TRASH AND LIDS WIDE OPEN WITH TRASH ABOVE RIM.INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE OUTSIDE GARBAGE AREA CLEAN AND DUMPSTER LIDS CLOSED WHEN NOT IN USE TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(B).(***SEE COMMENTS).

In plain English

Floors, walls, ceilings, lighting, ventilation, or garbage areas needed repair or cleaning. These are usually less urgent than food-handling problems but still need to be fixed.

More about building upkeep issues
notedCode 56Facility maintenance

Official wording

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

Inspector’s notes

INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN THE KITCHEN EXHAUST HOOD TO REMOVE ACCUMULATION OF DUSTS AND MAINTAIN.

In plain English

Floors, walls, ceilings, lighting, ventilation, or garbage areas needed repair or cleaning. These are usually less urgent than food-handling problems but still need to be fixed.

More about building upkeep issues
notedCode 5Other

Official wording

Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events

Inspector’s notes

FOUND MISSING ITEM (APPROPRIATE SANITIZER THAT IS EFFECTIVE AGAINST NOROVIRUS) AS OUTLINED IN THE NECCESSARY CLEAN-UP ITEMS.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE INCLUDING PROCEDURE/PLAN FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. (***SEE COMMENTS).

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding
notedCode 22Food temperature

Official wording

Proper cold holding temperatures

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED TURKEY AND CHEESE SANDWICHES AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE AT 50.7-51.2F STORED IN THE FRONT PREP DISPLAY COOLER. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN ALL COLD TCS FOODS 41F OR COLDER AT ALL TIMES.MANAGEMENT VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED APPROXIMATELY 2#'S OF FOOD WORTH $10.PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005.(***SEE COMMENTS).

In plain English

Food was not kept cold enough, hot enough, cooled fast enough, or cooked or reheated to the right temperature. Bacteria grow quickly in the "danger zone" between 41°F and 135°F, which makes this one of the most important food-safety checks.

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature
notedCode 36Equipment and utensils

Official wording

Thermometers provided & accurate

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO THERMOMETER INSIDE THE FRONT PREP DISPLAY UNIT CONSPICUOUSLY POSTED TO MONITOR THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OF EQUIPMENT.INSTRUCTED TO EQUIP ALL REFRIGERATION UNITS WITH ACCURATE AND WORKING THERMOMETERS AND MAINTAIN.

In plain English

Equipment, utensils, thermometers, cutting boards, or single-use items were not in good condition, not the right type, or not stored properly.

More about equipment or utensil issues
notedCode 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED WATER TEMPERATURE AT HANDWASHING SINK AT FAR RIGHT SIDE REACHING 74.6F INSIDE THE 1ST FLOOR BOYS WASHROOM ADJACENT TO THE LUNCHROOM.INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN PROPER MINIMUM WATER TEMPERATURE OF 100.0F.THE OTHER HANDWASHING SINK INSIDE SAID WASHROOM WAS AT PROPER TEMPERATURE AT THIS TIME OF INSPECTION.(ENGINEER WAS MADE AWARE).

In plain English

The business had issues with hot or cold running water, plumbing, drains, backflow prevention, or sewage disposal. Some of these, like no hot water, can force a temporary closure until fixed.

More about water, plumbing, or sewage problems
notedCode 54Facility maintenance

Official wording

Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED THE OUTSIDE GARBAGE DUMPSTER OVERFLOWING WITH TRASH AND LIDS WIDE OPEN WITH TRASH ABOVE RIM.INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE OUTSIDE GARBAGE AREA CLEAN AND DUMPSTER LIDS CLOSED WHEN NOT IN USE TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(B).(***SEE COMMENTS).

In plain English

Floors, walls, ceilings, lighting, ventilation, or garbage areas needed repair or cleaning. These are usually less urgent than food-handling problems but still need to be fixed.

More about building upkeep issues
notedCode 56Facility maintenance

Official wording

Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

Inspector’s notes

INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN THE KITCHEN EXHAUST HOOD TO REMOVE ACCUMULATION OF DUSTS AND MAINTAIN.

In plain English

Floors, walls, ceilings, lighting, ventilation, or garbage areas needed repair or cleaning. These are usually less urgent than food-handling problems but still need to be fixed.

More about building upkeep issues

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Sep 15, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass

Sep 11, 2025

Pass

2 recorded violations

notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED CHIPPED PAINT ON THE WALLS AND CEILING OF THE 1ST FLOOR HALL. INSTRUCTED TO RESURFACE AND REPAINT CHIPPED AREAS TO ENSURE WALLS ARE SEALED, SMOOTH, AND EASILY CLEANABLE.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems
notedCode 58Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITH ALLERGEN TRAINING. INSTRUCTED ANY PERSONS WITH THE CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE TO COMPLY WITH THE COMPLETION OF TRAINING. MUST PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION.

In plain English

A required permit, food safety certificate, trained manager, or posted sign was missing or not current. These show the business is following the rules and has trained staff.

More about paperwork, training, or posting issues

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Sep 11, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Sep 17, 2024

Pass w/ Conditions

1 recorded violation

notedCode 5Other

Official wording

PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

Inspector’s notes

FOUND NO VOMIT AND DIARRHEAL CLEAN UP PROCEDURE WITH VOMIT KIT.PRIORITY FOUNDATIO.NO CITATION ISSUED.7-38-005.MUST PROVIDE.

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Sep 17, 2024 · Original Source

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