School · Chicago, IL

Columbia Explorers

Name: Columbia Explorers
Address: 4520 S Kedzie Ave, Chicago, IL

4520 S Kedzie Ave

Last inspected Sep 18, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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Pass

ImprovingThe latest inspection recorded fewer violations than the one before it. Review the dated records below.

The full inspection history

4 inspections

Canvass Re-Inspection

Sep 18, 2026

Pass

3 recorded violations

notedCode 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s notes

5-205.15: OBSERVED NO HOT WATER PRESSURE AT RIGHT HANDWASHING SINK IN BOY'S WASHROOM(LEFT HANDWASHING SINK IS FUNCTION PROPERLY), OBSERVED NO HOT OR COLD WATER PRESSURE AT LEFT HANDWASHING SINK IN GIRL'S WASHROOM(RIGHT HANDWASHING SINK IS FUNCTIONING PROPERLY) AND OBSERVED NO COLD WATER PRESSURE AT STAFF WASHROOM IN MODULAR BUILDING. INSTRUCTED TO RESTORE SAID WATER PRESSURE TO SAID HANDWASHING SINKS IN MODULAR BUILDING AND MAINTAIN.

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 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

6-501.11: OBSERVED MISSING LIGHT SHIELD IN DRY STORAGE/EMPLOYEE BREAKROOM. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE MISSING LIGHT SHIELD WITH SOLID LIGHT SHIELD AND MAINTAIN.

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 56Facility maintenance

Official wording

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

Inspector’s notes

6-303.11: OBSERVED NON WORKING LIGHT IN HOOD. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR/REPLACE NON WORKING LIGHT IN HOOD 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 18, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass

Sep 11, 2026

Fail

4 recorded violations

notedCode 10Handwashing

Official wording

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED IMPROPER MINIMUM WATER TEMPERATURES RANGING BETWEEN 78.4-80.1F AT HANDWASHING SINKS IN MAIN BUILDING, OBSERVED IMPROPER MINIMUM WATER TEMPERATURES AT TWO HANDWASHING SINKS IN PREP AREA AND ALL STUDENT AND STAFF WASHROOMS IN MAIN BUILDING. INSTRUCTED A HANDWASHING SINK SHALL BE EQUIPPED TO PROVIDE WATER AT A TEMPERATURE OF AT LEAST 100F THROUGH A MIXING VALVE OR COMBINATION FAUCET. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-030(C) NO CITATION ISSUED.

In plain English

Staff were not washing their hands when required, or a handwashing sink was blocked, missing soap or paper towels, or used for something else. Hands are one of the most common ways germs reach food.

Official wording

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO HOT WATER PRESSURE AT RIGHT HANDWASHING SINK IN BOY'S WASHROOM(LEFT HANDWASHING SINK IS FUNCTION PROPERLY), OBSERVED NO HOT OR COLD WATER PRESSURE AT LEFT HANDWASHING SINK IN GIRL'S WASHROOM(RIGHT HANDWASHING SINK IS FUNCTIONING PROPERLY) AND OBSERVED NO COLD WATER PRESSURE AT STAFF WASHROOM IN MODULAR BUILDING. INSTRUCTED TO RESTORE SAID WATER PRESSURE TO SAID HANDWASHING SINKS IN MODULAR BUILDING AND MAINTAIN.

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 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED DAMAGED CEILING TILES IN DRY STORAGE ROOM/EMPLOYEE BREAKROOM . INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE ALL DAMAGED CEILING TILES IN SAID AREA AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED MISSING LIGHT SHIELD IN DRY STORAGE/EMPLOYEE BREAKROOM. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE MISSING LIGHT SHIELD WITH SOLID LIGHT SHIELD AND MAINTAIN.

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 56Facility maintenance

Official wording

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NON WORKING LIGHT IN HOOD. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR/REPLACE NON WORKING LIGHT IN HOOD 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 11, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass