Academy of Creative Thinking
4200 N Central AVE, Chicago, IL 60634
Children's Services Facility ZIP 60634 Risk 1 (High)
Passed · as of May 20, 2026
Academy of Creative Thinking was last inspected on May 20, 2026 with a result of “Pass”. Inspectors found 1 violation.
Latest inspection
May 20, 2026 · Canvass
Result: Pass
1 general-
GeneralFacility upkeep
Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.
Inspector’s note: Observed peeling paint on wall in toddler room. Must repair.
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspection history
18 inspections on record
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Pass
License Re-Inspection · Pass
No violations
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Fail
License · Fail
1 critical2 general1 paperwork Show violations
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CriticalManagement & training
No one in charge was present who knew the food-safety rules.
Inspector’s note: Observed person in charge without proof of food safety management training during time of inspection. Must provide.
Official wording (code 1)
Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Garbage wasn’t handled or stored properly.
Inspector’s note: Noted shed located next to outside dumpster without doors and items stored on the floor. Instructed to provide doors and elevate items stored to prevent pest harborage.
Official wording (code 54)
Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.
Inspector’s note: Noted clutter throughout facility. Items stored on the floors in storage room from kitchen, and in dishroom closet. Instructed to provide proper shelving that is a minimum of 6 inches off the floor.
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
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PaperworkManagement & training
No manager on duty held a City of Chicago food sanitation certificate.
Inspector’s note: Noted no valid city of chicago food service sanitation certificate on site. Certificates on site are expired (7/2/2025). A certified manager with a current city of chicago certificate must be on premises at all times and the original copy must remain posted on site whenever time and temperature control for safety(tcs) foods are being prepared, handled and/or served. Priority foundation violation #7-38-012. Citation issued.
Official wording (code 2)
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
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Conditional
Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions
1 critical2 general Show violations
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CriticalFood temperature
Not enough equipment, or the wrong method, to cool and hold food at safe temperatures.
Inspector’s note: Observed improper ambient temperature inside of infant refrigerator at 45f. Ambient temperature must be at 41f or below inside of a cold holding unit. Priority violation. 7-38-005.
Official wording (code 33)
Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.
Inspector’s note: Observed 3 out of 4 hand washing sinks in kids toilet room at improper water temperature ranging from 86-94f. Water temperature must be between 100-120f through mixing valve.
Official wording (code 51)
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Toilet rooms weren’t built, stocked, or cleaned properly.
Inspector’s note: Must provide lid on trash can in women's toilet room across from kitchen.
Official wording (code 53)
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
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Pass
License · Pass
1 general Show violations
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.
Inspector’s note: Instructed to detail clean and organize dry storage room adjacent to the kitchen prep area and remove unnecessary articles due to potential pest harborage and elevate stock items off the floor at least 6" inches (no milk crates for elevation).
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
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Pass
Canvass · Pass
No violations
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Pass
Canvass · Pass
2 general Show violations
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GeneralFood temperature
Thermometers were missing or inaccurate.
Inspector’s note: Insrtuctec to provide and maintain working visible thermometers inside all refrigeration units.
Official wording (code 36)
Thermometers provided & accurate
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.
Inspector’s note: Instructed to replace burnt-out light bulbs in students washrooms and maintain adequate lighting at all times.
Official wording (code 56)
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
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Pass
License · Pass
1 critical2 general Show violations
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CriticalHygiene & sanitation
Hand sinks were missing, blocked, or not stocked with soap and towels.
Inspector’s note: Instructed to provide handwashing signage at all handsinks.
Official wording (code 10)
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.
Inspector’s note: Instructed to clean and maintain ceiling vent cover with dust accumulation on premises.
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.
Inspector’s note: Instructed to reorganize rear storage areas/rooms. Usable items (food and non food) must be stored 6" off the floor for easy access on cleaning.
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
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Conditional
Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions
1 critical2 general Show violations
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CriticalHygiene & sanitation
Hand sinks were missing, blocked, or not stocked with soap and towels.
Inspector’s note: OBSERVED NO EXPOSED HAND SINK ACCESSIBLE TO THREE COMPARTMENT SINK AT EAST SIDE OF BUILDING INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO INSTALL AN EXPOSED HAND SINK. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(c) NO CITATION ISSUED
Official wording (code 10)
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Sewage or wastewater wasn’t disposed of properly.
Inspector’s note: Observed no grease trap at three compartment sink at east part of building.instructed management to install grease trap at three compartment sink at est part of building
Official wording (code 52)
Sewage & waste water properly disposed
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.
Inspector’s note: Floors behind refrigeration need cleaning.instructed management to clean floors behind refrigeration.
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
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Conditional
License · Pass w/ Conditions
2 critical1 general Show violations
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CriticalManagement & training
Staff weren’t trained on, or didn’t follow, the rules for reporting illness.
Inspector’s note: 2-201.11 observed no employee health policy on site.instructed management to create an employee health policy. Priority foundation violation 7-38-010 no citation issued.
Official wording (code 3)
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
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CriticalManagement & training
No written plan or kit for cleaning up vomit or diarrhea.
Inspector’s note: 2-501.11 observed no clean up policy on site.instructed management to create a clean up policy. Priority foundation violation 2-501.11 no citation issued
Official wording (code 5)
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.
Inspector’s note: Observed clutter in the basement.instructed management to remove clutter.clutter is a harborage for pests. Core violation
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
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Conditional
Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions
2 critical Show violations
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CriticalManagement & training
Staff weren’t trained on, or didn’t follow, the rules for reporting illness.
Inspector’s note: 2-201.11 observed no employee health policy on site.instructed management to create an employee health policy. Priority foundation violation 7-38-010 no citation issued.
Official wording (code 3)
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
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CriticalManagement & training
No written plan or kit for cleaning up vomit or diarrhea.
Inspector’s note: 2-501.11 observed no clean up policy on site.instructed management to create a clean up policy. Priority foundation violation 2-501.11 no citation issued.
Official wording (code 5)
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
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Pass
Canvass · Pass
4 general Show violations
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector’s note: Ceiling vent cover in one of the staff washroom with heavy dust build-up. Must clean,remove dust and maintain.
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector’s note: Ventilation in one of the staff washroom is not working. Must repair and maintain.
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector’s note: Must elevate all items/articles on the floor in all storage room to prevent pest harborage and have an easy access in cleaning the floor.
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Food handler requirements met
Inspector’s note: One more employee does not have food handlers certificate . Must provide.
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Pass
License Re-Inspection · Pass
No violations
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Fail
License · Fail
3 general Show violations
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GeneralSerious (pre-2018 form)
Dish washing facilities: properly designed, constructed, maintained, installed, located and operated
Inspector’s note: Dish washing facility in poor repair, when water is drained from three compartment sink and attached exposed hand sink, waste water backs up into each compartment, not properly draining into sewer line, not properly being maintained, instructed to repair, serious citation: 7-38-030
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector’s note: Light dim in basement kitchen area, instructed to increase light in all working surfaces,
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector’s note: Instructed to clean and remove unnecessary articles in basement storage area to prevent pest harborage. Usable items must be stored 6" off the floor for easy access on cleaning.
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Pass
Canvass · Pass
No violations
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Pass
Canvass · Pass
3 general Show violations
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector’s note: Instructed to repair inoperable ventilation inside employee washroom in basement.
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous
Inspector’s note: Instructed to provide thermometer visible and accessible inside cooler.
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector’s note: Instructed to clean and remove unnecessary articles in basement storage area to prevent pest harborage. Usable items must be stored 6" off the floor for easy access on cleaning.
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Pass
License Re-Inspection · Pass
No violations
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Fail
License · Fail
2 critical4 general Show violations
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CriticalCritical (pre-2018 form)
Adequate number, convenient, accessible, designed, and maintained
Inspector’s note: Above had no exosed hand sink in kitchen prep area, must provide exposed hand sink to kitchen prep area.
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CriticalCritical (pre-2018 form)
Hand washing facilities: with soap and sanitary hand drying devices, convenient and accessible to food prep area
Inspector’s note: Bathrooms had no paper towel holders, soap dispensers, must provide all bathrooms with paper towel holders with paper towels, and soap dispenser with soap to all bathrooms/.
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GeneralSerious (pre-2018 form)
No evidence of rodent or insect outer openings protected/rodent proofed, a written log shall be maintained available to the inspectors
Inspector’s note: Above had no proof of pest control service, service log or log book, also found, observed front entrance/exit door with a 1/4 inch gap on west side of door, door not rodent proofed. Must provide proof of pest control service, log book and door must be rodent proofed.
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector’s note: Walls, doorways that had exposed raw wood in classrooms, bsmt storage areas outside kitchen, shall be repaired/sealed.
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Toilet room doors self closing: dressing rooms with lockers provided: complete separation from living/sleeping quarters
Inspector’s note: Employee bathrooms doors were missing self closing mechanism, must provide self closing mechanism.
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector’s note: Must provide mop sink to premises, above had no mop sink on premises.
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More in ZIP 60634
Source: Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) open data, refreshed hourly. Last inspection 6 months ago. Always confirm with the official record.