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School · Chicago, IL

Dirksen Elementary School

8601 W Foster (5200n) Ave

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

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

The full inspection history

4 inspections

Canvass

Sep 18, 2026

Fail

4 recorded violations

notedCode 38Pests

Official wording

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED THE CORPSES OF INSECTS THROUGHOUT PRE-K HALLWAY PARTICULARLY IN AREA LEADING TO PLAYGROUND. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE FACILITY REMOVES ALL DEAD INSECTS.

In plain English

The inspector found mice, rats, cockroaches, flies, or evidence of them (like droppings) inside the business, or conditions that could attract them. Pests can spread bacteria to food and surfaces, so this is treated as one of the more serious findings.

More about signs of rodents or insects
notedCode 21Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED CHEESE STICKS HELD AT AN INADEQUATE TEMPERATURE OF 122 F. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE ALL HOT TCS FOODS ARE HELD AT 135 AND ABOVE. MANAGER RAPIDLY REHEATED TO 165. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005.

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 10Handwashing

Official wording

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO HOT WATER IN KITCHEN STAFF BATHROOMS. MAXIMUM HOT WATER TEMPERATURE RECORDED AT 68 F. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE A MINIMUM HOT WATER TEMPERATURE OF 100 F IS PROVIDED. TO ALL HAND WASHING SINKS. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-030(C).

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.

More about handwashing problems
notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED STUDENT CHANGING ROOM WITH DEBRIS BUILD UP ON FLOOR. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOOR.

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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Sep 18, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass

Sep 9, 2025

Pass w/ Conditions

3 recorded violations

notedCode 2Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED MANAGER ON SITE WHILE TCS ITEMS SUCH AS CHICKEN WERE PREPARED. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN AN EMPLOYEE HOLDING A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012.

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
notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED BUILD UP OF DIRT AND FOOD DEBRIS ON WALL NEAR EXPOSED HANDWASHING SINK IN KITCHEN AND IN FLOOR DRAIN UNDERNEATH 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.

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 LIGHTS DO NOT WORK IN HOOD OVER COOK LINE. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.

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 9, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass Re-Inspection

Oct 1, 2024

Pass

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Oct 1, 2024 · Original Source

Canvass

Sep 25, 2024

Fail

1 recorded violation

notedCode 10Handwashing

Official wording

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED IMPROPER WATER TEMPERATURE AT 72F AT HAND WASHING SINKS IN MENS AND WOMENS STAFF TOILET ROOMS ADJACENT TO CAFETERIA. WATER TEMPERATURE FOUND AT 91F AT HAND WASHING SINK IN UNISEX TOILET ROOM LOCATED IN PRESCHOOL HALLWAY. MINIMUM WATER TEMPERATURE AT HAND WASHING SINKS MUST BE AT 100F OR ABOVE THROUGH A MIXING VALVE OR COMBINATION FAUCET. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-030(C).

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.

More about handwashing problems

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Sep 25, 2024 · Original Source

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