Canvass Re-Inspection
May 11, 2026
Pass
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, May 11, 2026 · Original Source
School · Chicago, IL
Joseph Brennemann Elementary School
4251 N Clarendon Ave
Last inspected May 11, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗
Pass
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ImprovingThe latest inspection recorded fewer violations than the one before it. Review the dated records below.
The full inspection history
5 inspectionsCanvass
May 4, 2026
Fail
2 recorded violations
notedCode 38Pests
Official wording
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED APPROX. 70 MOUSE DROPPINGS IN THE LUNCHROOM, FOOD PREP AREA, HVAC CLOSET IN THE FOOD MANAGER'S OFFICE, AND IN THE CLOSET AND CLASSROOM OF ROOM 120. OBSERVED APPROX. 5 MOUSE DROPPINGS ON THE FLOOR BENEATH THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK AND AROUND THE 1-DOOR FOOD WARMING UNITS IN THE FOOD PREP AREA, APPROX. 10 MOUSE DROPPINGS ON THE FLOOR IN THE CORNERS OF THE LUNCHROOM, APPROX. 50 MOUSE DROPPINGS ON THE FLOOR OF THE HVAC CLOSET IN THE FOOD MANAGER'S OFFICE, AND APPROX. 5 MOUSE DROPPINGS ON THE FLOOR AND IN THE CLOSET OF ROOM 120. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND REMOVE ALL RODENT DROPPINGS IN ALL AFFECTED AREAS. ADDITIONAL PEST CONTROL SERVICE IS NEEDED TO ELIMINATE THE PEST ACTIVITY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(A).
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 insectsnotedCode 51Water, plumbing, and sewage
Official wording
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
Inspector’s notes
REPAIR THE DRAIN LINE WATER LEAK BENEATH THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK.
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 problemsOfficial record from Chicago Department of Public Health, May 4, 2026 · Original Source
Canvass
Feb 26, 2025
Pass w/ Conditions
6 recorded violations
notedCode 10Handwashing
Official wording
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGNS OR POSTERS NEAR HAND WASHING SINKS INSIDE GIRLS AND BOYS WASHROOMS. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
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 problemsnotedCode 51Water, plumbing, and sewage
Official wording
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED LOW HOT WATER PRESSURE AT EXPOSED HAND SINK IN KITCHEN AND AT WASHROOM SINK FOR KITCHEN EMPLOYEES. INCREASE HOT WATER PRESSURE 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 problemsnotedCode 53Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED NO COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE PROVIDED IN THE UNISEX EMPLOYEE WASHROOM. MUST PROVIDE 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 problemsnotedCode 54Facility maintenance
Official wording
GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED
Inspector’s notes
OUTSIDE GARBAGE AREA NOT MAINTAINED. OBSERVED OUTSIDE GARBAGE DUMPSTERS OVERFLOWING PREVENTING LID FROM CLOSING PROPERLY. THIS IS HARBORAGE AND A FOOD SOURCE FOR RODENTS AND OTHER PEST. MUST MAINTAING GARABAGE AREA ADEQUATE MAINTAINED AT ALL TIMES. MANAGEMENT SEND EMPLOYEE TO PUSH GARBAGE DOWN INTO DUMPSTERS AND CORRECTED VIOLATION DURING INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(B). NO CITATION ISSUED.
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 issuesnotedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED OPENING INTO CEILING ABOVE FOOD STORAGE SHELVING IN REAR STORAGE ROOM. MUST SEAL OPENING AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED PEELING PAINT ON CEILING ABOVE MILK DISPLAY COOLER. MUST REPAINT AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED DIRT AND DEBRIS ON CEILING ABOVE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED DUST BUILD UP INSIDE LIGHT SHIELDS COVERS THROUGHOUT KITCHEN FOOD PREP AREA AND LUNCHROOM. MUST 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 problemsnotedCode 56Facility maintenance
Official wording
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED LIGHT BULB OFF IN THE LUNCHROOM. MUST PROVIDE A LIGHT BULB TO MAINTAIN ADEQAUTE LIGHTING.
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 issuesOfficial record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Feb 26, 2025 · Original Source
Canvass Re-Inspection
Apr 30, 2024
Pass
2 recorded violations
notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
Inspector’s notes
: 6-201.13---- MISSING AND DAMAGED BASEBOARD COVING IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS: THROUGHOUT THE DRY FOOD STORAGE ROOM, THROUGHOUT THE EMPLOYEE WASHROOM, UNDER THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK AND BEHIND THE COOKING EQUIPMENT. MUST REPLACE/REPAIR ALL.
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 problemsnotedCode 56Facility maintenance
Official wording
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
Inspector’s notes
6-202.11---- MISSING LIGHT SHIELD END CAPS IN THE KITCHEN. MUST REPLACE.
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 issuesOfficial record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Apr 30, 2024 · Original Source
Canvass
Apr 23, 2024
Fail
6 recorded violations
notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
Inspector’s notes
FLOORS NOTED DIRTY WITH DEBRIS IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS: UNDER THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK, THROUGHOUT THE DRY FOOD STORAGE ROOM, THROUGHOUT THE EMPLOYEE WASHROOM. MUST 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 problemsnotedCode 10Handwashing
Official wording
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
Inspector’s notes
NOTED INADEQUATE HOT WATER IN BOTH THE BOYS AND GIRLS WASHROOMS LOCATED ADJACENT TO THE LUNCH ROOM. BOYS WASHBOWLS HOT WATER TEMPERATURES RANGING BETWEEN 75.9F AND 76.3F. TWO OF THE THREE WASHBOWLS IN THE GIRLS RANGING BETWEEN 81.1F AND 84.4F. MUST PROVIDE A MINIMUM HOT WATER TEMPERATURE OF 100F AT ALL WASHBOWLS. 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 problemsnotedCode 38Pests
Official wording
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED MICE DROPPINGS IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS. APPROXIMATELY 75 DROPPINGS UNDER THE STEAM TABLE, 75 THROUGHOUT THE DRY FOOD STORAGE ROOM, 50 THROUGHOUT THE EMPLOYEE WASHROOM, 25 THROUGHOUT THE OFFICE WHERE SOME KITCHEN SUPPLIES ARE STORED AND 25 ALONG THE BASEBOARD BEHIND THE TALL REACH-IN FREEZER IN THE LUNCHROOM. PEST CONTROL NOTED DROPPINGS ON THE LAST SERVICE REPORT DATED 4-10-24. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL DROPPING AND SANITIZE ALL AFFECTED AREAS THROUGHOUT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(A).
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 insectsnotedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
Inspector’s notes
MUST NOT USE PLASTIC BAGS AS A PROTECTANT ON THE METAL LEGS OF THE KITCHEN METAL STORAGE RACKS.
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 problemsnotedCode 51Water, plumbing, and sewage
Official wording
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
Inspector’s notes
MIDDLE WASHBOWL IN THE BOYS WASHROOM UNABLE TO DRAIN. MUST REPAIR TO PROPERLY DRAIN.
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 problemsnotedCode 56Facility maintenance
Official wording
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
Inspector’s notes
MISSING LIGHT SHIELD END CAPS IN THE KITCHEN. MUST REPLACE.
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 issuesOfficial record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Apr 23, 2024 · Original Source