School · Chicago, IL

Lewis Elementary

Name: Lewis Elementary
Address: 1431 N Leamington Ave, Chicago, IL

1431 N Leamington Ave

Last inspected Sep 24, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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

The full inspection history

5 inspections

Canvass

Sep 24, 2026

Pass

5 recorded violations

notedCode 36Equipment and utensils

Official wording

Thermometers provided & accurate

Inspector’s notes

NO FUNCTIONAL THERMOMETER INSIDE THE MILK COOLER LOCATED AT FRONT SERVING LINE.MUST PROVIDE A VISIBLE WORKING, ACCURATE THERMOMETER FOR SAID COOLER AND MAINTAIN.

In plain English

Equipment, utensils, thermometers, cutting boards, or single-use items were not in good condition, not the right type, or not stored properly.

More about equipment or utensil issues

notedCode 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED WATER LEAK AT FAR RIGHT DRAINPIPE UNDERNEATH THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK.INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR PLUMBING LEAK 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 53Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE PROVIDED IN THE EMPLOYEE UNISEX 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 problems

notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

Inspector’s notes

INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE BROKEN, UNUSED KITCHEN GAS STOVE AND REFRIGERATION UNIT FROM THE PREMISES DUE TO POTENTIAL PEST HABORAGE.

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

INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN CEILING VENTILATION COVERS AT FRONT SERVING AREA TO REMOVE ACCUMULATION OF DUSTS 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 24, 2026 · Original Source

Complaint Re-Inspection

Oct 16, 2025

Pass

1 recorded violation

notedCode 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s notes

5-205.15: OBSERVED WHEN THREE COMPARTMENT SINK IS DRAINED WATER SPLASHES ONTO THE FLOOR IN THE AREA, CREATING A POOL OF WATER. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR 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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Oct 16, 2025 · Original Source

Complaint

Oct 9, 2025

Fail

4 recorded violations

notedCode 2Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITH THE ORIGINAL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE ON SITE, WHILE OPEN AND OPERATING. INSTRUCTED A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST BE ON SITE WITH THE ORIGINAL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE POSTED AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012, NO CITATION ISSUED

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 HOT RUNNING WATER AT THE FOLOWING HANDWASHING SINKS: FOOD PREP/DISHWASHING AREA (76.8F), TOILET ROOM (76.0F) FOR FOOD HANDLERS IN PREP AREA, AND BOYS TOILET ROOM NEAR THE CAFETERIA (65.0F) INSTRUCTED TO HAVE HOT AND COLD RUNNING AT ALL HAND WASH SINKS. WATER WAS RESTORED BEFORE THE END OF THE INSPECTION. 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

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 40 OR MORE MICE DROPPINGS THROUGHOUT THE FRONT/REAR FOOD PREP/DISHWASHING AREA. MICE DROPPINGS WERE FOUND IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS: ON THE FLOORS BEHIND THE COOKING EQUIPMENT, UNDER THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK, IN THE MOP SINK STORAGE AREA, IN THE UNUSED WAREWASHING AREA, IN THE DRY FOOD STORAGE AREA, AND IN THE LOWER OPENINGS OF THE HOT HOLDING WELLS. INSTRUCTED T REMOVE MICE DROPPINGS, CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL AFFECTED AREAS. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-020 (A), NO CITATION ISSUED

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 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED WHEN THREE COMPARTMENT SINK IS DRAIN WATER SPLASHES ONTO THE FLOOR IN THE AREA, CREATING A POOL OF WATER. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR 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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Oct 9, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Feb 20, 2025

Pass

1 recorded violation

notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED IMPROPER MOP STORAGE IN THE UTILITY SINK AREA. INSTRUCTED TO STORE PROPERLY.

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, Feb 20, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Apr 23, 2024

Pass w/ Conditions

3 recorded violations

notedCode 5Other

Official wording

PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO VOMIT AND DIARRHEAL CLEAN UP KIT AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. 7-38-005

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding

notedCode 56Facility maintenance

Official wording

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED LIGHTBULB IS OUT OVER THE HOOD VENT. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE/REPAIR.

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

notedCode 2Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE AT THE ONSET OF THE INSPECTION, AT 1:30PM. CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ARRIVED ON THE PREMISES AT APPROXIMATELY 2:20PM. INSTRUCTED THAT A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.

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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Apr 23, 2024 · Original Source