ImprovingThe latest inspection recorded fewer violations than the one before it. Review the dated records below.
Quick Answers
When was Dirksen Elementary School last inspected?
The most recent inspection on record was on Sep 22, 2026. The result listed by Chicago Department of Public Health was “Pass”.
Were any violations recorded at the last inspection?
Yes: 1 violation recorded. Each one is listed below with the official wording.
How many inspections are on record?
5 inspections on record, from Sep 25, 2024 to Sep 22, 2026.
Has Dirksen Elementary School ever been closed by the health department?
No closure appears in the 5 inspection records we hold for this business. The earliest is dated Sep 25, 2024.
The Full Inspection History
5 inspections
Canvass Re-Inspection
Sep 22, 2026
Pass
1 recorded violation
notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing
Official Wording
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector’s Notes
OBSERVED PRE-K CLASSROOMS WITH SOIL AND DEBRIS BUILDUP. MUST BE SWEPT, MOPPED, AND OR VACUUMED REGULARLY.
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.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Sep 22, 2026 · Original Source
Canvass
Sep 18, 2026
Fail
8 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.