School · Chicago, IL

Polaris Charter Academy

Name: Polaris Charter Academy
Address: 620 N Sawyer Ave, Chicago, IL

620 N Sawyer Ave

Last inspected Oct 1, 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

5 inspections

Canvass Re-Inspection

Oct 1, 2026

Pass

4 recorded violations

notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used

Inspector’s notes

4-501.11 OBSERVED RUSTED PREP TABLE SHELVING AS WELL AS INSIDE EQUIPMENT USED TO STORE FOOD. INSTRUCTED TO RESURFACE AND PROVIDE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACES

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 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

Inspector’s notes

5-205.15 OBSERVED HANDSINK LOCATED IN SERVING AREA WITH LEAKY PLUMBING FIXTURE CAUSING WATER TO POOL ON THE FLOOR UNDER SAID SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.

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 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

Inspector’s notes

6-201.11 OBSERVED WALLS UPON ENTRANCE TO SERVICE AREA AS WELL AS BEHIND PREP TABLES AND HOT HOLD UNITS WITH PEELING/CHIPPED PAINT. NOTED CRUMBLING BRICKS AS WELL IN SAID SPACE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE WALLS AND SURFACES 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 56Facility maintenance

Official wording

Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

Inspector’s notes

6-303.11 OBSERVED INADEQUATE LIGHTING THROUGHOUT PREP AND SERVING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE BURNED OUT BULBS AND INCREASE 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 issues

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Oct 1, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass

Sep 23, 2026

Fail

7 recorded violations

notedCode 2Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

City of chicago food service sanitation certificate

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER CERTIFICATE HOLDER ON SITE DURING TIME OF INSPECTION WHILE PREPARING AND SERVING TCS FOODS (PASTA, CHOPPED WATERMELON, MILK). INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN AS REQUIRED. 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 22Food temperature

Official wording

Proper cold holding temperatures

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 20 LBS CHOPPED WATERMELON STORED INSIDE COLD HOLD UNIT AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE DURING TIME OF INSPECTION. NOTED TEMPERATURE RANGING BETWEEN 46F-51F. INSTRUCTED TO HOLD ALL TCS FOODS @41F AND BELOW AS REQUIRED. SAID FOOD DISCARDED BY PIC. PRIORITY VIOLATION. #7-38-005. 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 38Pests

Official wording

Insects, rodents, & animals not present

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 25 SMALL BLACK LIVE FLIES FLYING THROUGHOUT PREP AREA, ON EXTERIOR SURFACES OF HEAVY EQUIPMENT, FLYING AROUND STORAGE CAGE AND INSIDE HANDWASHING SINK BASIN. INSTRUCTED TO CONTACT PEST CONTROL FOR SERVICE. MUST ELIMINATE FLY ACTIVITY ON PREMISE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. #7-38-020 (A). 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 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED RUSTED PREP TABLE SHELVING AS WELL AS INSIDE EQUIPMENT USED TO STORE FOOD. INSTRUCTED TO RESURFACE AND PROVIDE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACES

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 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED HANDSINK LOCATED IN SERVING AREA WITH LEAKY PLUMBING FIXTURE CAUSING WATER TO POOL ON THE FLOOR UNDER SAID SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.

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 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED WALLS UPON ENTRANCE TO SERVICE AREA AS WELL AS BEHIND PREP TABLES AND HOT HOLD UNITS WITH PEELING/CHIPPED PAINT. NOTED CRUMBLING BRICKS AS WELL IN SAID SPACE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE WALLS AND SURFACES 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 56Facility maintenance

Official wording

Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED INADEQUATE LIGHTING THROUGHOUT PREP AND SERVING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE BURNED OUT BULBS AND INCREASE 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 issues

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Sep 23, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass

Sep 25, 2025

Pass

3 recorded violations

notedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

MUST CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE REACH IN COOLER TO REMOVE SPILLS AND DEBRIS.

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

MUST DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE FLOORS ALONG THE WALL BASE AND IN CORNERS IN THE 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

notedCode 57Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED THE FOOD HANDLER ON DUTY WITHOUT HIS FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE AND MAINTAIN ON SITE OR CITATIONS WILL FOLLOW.

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, Sep 25, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Dec 4, 2024

Pass

3 recorded violations

notedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED STEAM TABLES IN CAFETERIA WITH DRIED FOOD DEBRIS IN CREVICES OF EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN IN ORDER TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE.

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 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED 3 COMPARTENT SINK PIPING IN ALL 3 SINK BASINS WITH SLIGHT LEAK AND WATER DRIPPING. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.

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 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED LARGE HOLE IN WALL INSIDE GATED OFFICE/STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO ENCLOSE IN ORDER TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY AND PROVIDE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACES.

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, Dec 4, 2024 · Original Source

Non-Inspection