School · Chicago, IL

James Weldon Johnson School

Name: James Weldon Johnson School
Address: 1420 S Albany (3100w), Chicago, IL

1420 S Albany (3100w)

Last inspected Sep 9, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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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 9, 2026

Pass

3 recorded violations

notedCode 10Handwashing

Official wording

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

Inspector’s notes

6-301.14 OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGN AT HANDWASHING SINK IN SERVING AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE HANDWASHING SIGN AT ALL HANDWASHING SINKS USED BY EMPLOYEES.

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

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector’s notes

6-202.15 OBSERVED 1/4" GAP AT BOTTOM OF EXIT DOOR NEAR KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SEAL ALL OUTER OPENINGS ON DOOR TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY.

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 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

6-501.11 OBSERVED PEELING PAINT IN CEILING, DAMAGED CEILING SURFACES, MISSING CEILING TILES, DAMAGED AND MISSING FLOOR TILES IN KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN CEILING AND FLOORS IN KITCHEN.

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 9, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass

Sep 1, 2026

Fail

5 recorded violations

notedCode 1Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO PERSON IN CHARGE WITH VALID CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO DESIGNATE PERSON IN CHARGE DURING ALL HOURS OF OPERATION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION

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 2Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION MANAGER ON SITE OR VALID CERTIFICATE POSTED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO POST VALID CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 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 10Handwashing

Official wording

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO RUNNING WATER AT HANDWASHING SINK IN SERVING AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER UNDER CITY PRESSURE AT HANDWASHING SINK IN SERVING AREA. PRIORITY 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.

Official wording

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED 1/4" GAP AT BOTTOM OF EXIT DOOR NEAR KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SEAL ALL OUTER OPENINGS ON DOOR TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY.

In plain English

More about signs of rodents or insects

notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED PEELING PAINT IN CEILING, DAMAGED CEILING SURFACES, MISSING CEILING TILES, DAMAGED AND MISSING FLOOR TILES IN KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN CEILING AND FLOORS IN KITCHEN.

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 1, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass

Aug 27, 2025

Pass

2 recorded violations

notedCode 10Handwashing

Official wording

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED HANDWASHING SIGNAGE MISSING FROM RESTROOMS LOCATED IN HALLS. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT ALL HANDSINKS AT ALL TIMES.

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

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO COVERED RECEPTACLE IN RESTROOMS FOR USE ON FLOORS 1-4. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN COVERED RECEPTACLE IN ALL WASHROOMS FOR DISPOSAL OF SANITARY PRODUCTS.

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, Aug 27, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Sep 19, 2024

Pass w/ Conditions

2 recorded violations

notedCode 22Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

Inspector’s notes

NOTED INTERNAL TEMPERATURES OF THE FOLLOWING TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOOD ITEMS INSIDE THE REFRIGERATORS TO BE IMPROPER: CHICKEN NUGGETS 48.7 TO 61.3 F, CHICKEN AND RICE MEAL 52.3 F EGG AND CHEESE PATTIES 46.6 TO 64.1 F, CHICKPEA WITH CHEESE 52.3 F. MANAGER IMMEDIATELY AND VOLUNTARILY DISPOSED OF 200 LBS OF PRODUCTS WORTH $250.00 THROUGH DENATURING PROCESS. PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.

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 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED DUSTY CEILING EXAUSTE FIXTURE IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN 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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Sep 19, 2024 · Original Source