Lazaro Cardenas Branch was last inspected on September 10, 2026 with a result of “Pass w/ Conditions”. Inspectors found 4 violations, 1 of them critical, including signs of pests.
Latest inspection
September 10, 2026 · Canvass
Result: Pass w/ Conditions
1 critical2 general1 paperwork-
CriticalManagement & training
No one in charge was present who knew the food-safety rules.
Inspector’s note: 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
Official wording (code 1)
Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties
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GeneralPests
Insects, rodents, or animals were present, or the building wasn’t sealed against them.
Inspector’s note: Observed 1/2" gap at bottom left corner of exit door #4 and #5. Instructed manager to seal all outer openings on doors to prevent pest entry.
Official wording (code 38)
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
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GeneralFood handling
Single-use items weren’t stored or used properly.
Inspector’s note: Observed single service utensils not inverted in prep area. Instructed manager to invert all single service articles to protect from contamination.
Official wording (code 45)
Single-use/single-service articles: properly stored & used
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PaperworkManagement & training
No manager on duty held a City of Chicago food sanitation certificate.
Inspector’s note: Observed no chicago food sanitation manager on site or valid certificate posted. A chicago food sanitation manager must be on site and valid certificate posted at all times tcs food prepared and served. Priority foundation 7-38-012
Official wording (code 2)
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspection history
20 inspections on record
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Conditional
Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions
1 critical1 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 no person in charge with foodservice manager training.
Official wording (code 1)
Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties
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PaperworkManagement & training
No manager on duty held a City of Chicago food sanitation certificate.
Inspector’s note: Observed no valid city of chicago sanitation manager certification on site while tcs foods were being prepared and served (pizza, milk, etc). Instructed person in charge that certified manager must be on site at all times, as well as a valid sanitation certificate. Priority foundation #7-38-012.
Official wording (code 2)
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
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Pass
Canvass · Pass
No violations
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Conditional
Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions
1 general1 paperwork Show violations
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.
Inspector’s note: Observed peeling paint on wall around toilet in women's first floor restroom. Instructed person in charge to repair and make smooth and easily cleanable.
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: No person in charge with city of chicago food service sanitation certificate while tcs foods are being prepared and served(chicken nuggets). Instructed pic to obtain city of chicago foodservice sanitation manager certificate and maintain original on site at all times. Priority foundation 7-38-012.
Official wording (code 2)
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
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Pass
Canvass · Pass
1 general Show violations
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Toilet rooms weren’t built, stocked, or cleaned properly.
Inspector’s note: Found no covers on the waste receptacles in the female washrooms as required; must provide covers for all female washroom waste receptacles.
Official wording (code 53)
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
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Pass
Canvass · Pass
2 general Show violations
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Equipment or surfaces were in poor repair or made of material that can’t be cleaned.
Inspector’s note: Observed torn/damaged door gaskets and rusty floor in walk-in coolers in main kitchen prep area. Instructed to repair and maintain.
Official wording (code 47)
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Toilet rooms weren’t built, stocked, or cleaned properly.
Inspector’s note: Observed no covered receptacle in the employee's womens and girls toilet rooms. Instructed to provide and maintain.
Official wording (code 53)
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
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Pass
Canvass · Pass
1 general Show violations
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Toilet rooms weren’t built, stocked, or cleaned properly.
Inspector’s note: 5-501.17 observed no closed receptacle located in the employee's womens and girls toilet rooms. Instructed to provide.
Official wording (code 53)
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
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Conditional
Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions
1 critical Show violations
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CriticalManagement & training
No written plan or kit for cleaning up vomit or diarrhea.
Inspector’s note: Incomplete procedure in place for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events. Disinfectant not on site. Instd to provide and maintain complete procedure and supplies stated on procedure. Disinfectant to be effective against norovirus. Priority foundation violation 7-38-005.
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)
Clean multi-use utensils and single service articles properly stored: no reuse of single service articles
Inspector’s note: Must invert multiuse utensils on lower shelf of prep table.
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector’s note: Must clean debris from floor in walk in freezer and behind serving line cooler and hot holding unit.must remove rust from floor in vegetable and main walk in coolers.must repair or replace damaged floor tiles near exit door in lunchroom.
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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: Must repair or replace damaged wall bases in lunchroom,wall at 3- comp sink.must scrape and paint peeling paint on ceiling in dry food storage area,wall at hand sink in rear prep area,overhead vetilation unit in rear prep area.
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector’s note: Must adjust faucet at hand sink in 1st fl.(b) to stay on longer.
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Pass
Canvass Re-Inspection · Pass
1 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: Faucets in pre k rooms 403 and 404 not staying on. Faucets must stay on for 15 seconds or more. Correct and maintain.
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Fail
Canvass · Fail
3 general Show violations
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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: Front and rear doors, door in serving area and door in pre k classroom #403. 1/4 inch gap at bottom of door. Instructed to correct. All outer openings must be sealed and protected. Serious violation 7-38-020
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GeneralSerious (pre-2018 form)
Outside garbage waste grease and storage area; clean, rodent proof, all containers covered
Inspector’s note: Outside garbage container open and exposed. Instructed to have container closed at all times. Serious violation. 7-38-020
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector’s note: Faucets in pre k rooms 403 and 404 not staying on. Faucets must stay on for 15 seconds or more. Correct and maintain.
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Conditional
Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions
1 critical4 general Show violations
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CriticalCritical (pre-2018 form)
Potentially hazardous food meets temperature requirement during storage, preparation display and service
Inspector’s note: Yoghurt found at improper temperature of 45.f inside walk-in cooler. Product found at improper temperature was discarded(4lb valued at $20). Critical violation 7-38-005(a).
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GeneralSerious (pre-2018 form)
Adequate number, convenient, accessible, properly designed and installed
Inspector’s note: Handle on washbowl in children's washroom in pre-k class 413 in poor repair. No sanitary hand drying device in second floor student washroom.handle replaced by engineer, and paper towels provided. Serious violation 7-38-030.
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector’s note: Paint rusty surfaces(floors) inside walk-in cooler and freezer.
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector’s note: Repair broken/cracked floor/wall tile inside handicapp washroom stall in first floor boy's washroom.
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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: Remove all chipping paint from walls in pre-k class 413 on north and south walls, smooth and re-paint areas.
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Pass
Canvass · Pass
1 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: Found no ventilation above the convection oven in the kitchen as required; must install proper ventilation above oven. (if it can be proven that the oven wattage is below 7500 watts and/or 7.5 kw, then no ventilation is required). Observed no toilet seat in the last stall of the girls washroom on the first floor; replace toilet seat.
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Conditional
Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions
2 critical2 general Show violations
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CriticalCritical (pre-2018 form)
Facilities to maintain proper temperature
Inspector’s note: Found stand alone walk in cooler with phf (cheese, butter, cut vegetables) with a temperature of 52.1f. Discarded all food and tagged cooler "held for inspection" by cdph. Instructed to repair so cooler maintains an internal temperature of 40f or below. Critical citation issued 7-38-005(a).
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CriticalCritical (pre-2018 form)
Potentially hazardous food meets temperature requirement during storage, preparation display and service
Inspector’s note: Found approximately $131 of phf in stand alone walk in cooler held at improper temperatures ranging from 46.3f to 53.5f. Food was denatured and discarded. Phf was: 36 each of 4oz yogurts, 25oz of cream cheese, 8lbs of chopped romaine lettuce, 21lbs of swiss cheese, 1/2 gallon of barbecue sauce, 1 gallon of lemon juice, 1/2 gallon of salsa, 24lbs of butter, 5 lbs of cut broccoli, and 10lbs of string cheese. Instructed facility that all cold phf must be held at 40f or below and maintained.
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector’s note: Found walk in cooler next to freezer with heavy dirt buildup on walls. Instructed to clean all surfaces, sanitize, and maintain.
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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: Found peeling paint on ceiling of dry storage room. Instructed to reseal and maintain.
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Pass
Canvass · Pass
4 general Show violations
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector’s note: The walk in cooler is empty and not working properly and a work order is in and the milk cooler is frozen up, defrost,clean and repair equipment.
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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: Peeling paint was found on the window pillar area in room # 509 and the 2nd floor mop room and above the kitchen exposed hand sink has dirty and damaged walls, clean and reseal the walls in a light color.
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector’s note: The 3rd floor boys room has a missing sink, replace the sink (on order).
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector’s note: The first floor storage cabinets are dirty inside of the classrooms, clean and maintain said areas. The spray bottles of cleaner aren't stored and labeled properly in the janitors closets, store and label items properly.
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Pass
Canvass · Pass
3 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: Must remove peeling paint from wall of utility closet on second floor and wall in lunchroom office behing managers desk; repaint areas.
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector’s note: Repair girls toilet seat on first floor in handicapped stall.
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector’s note: Remove and/or elevate books from floor of electrical room on first floor.
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Pass
Canvass Re-Inspection · 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: Inspector Comments: The walls and ceilings shall be in good repair and easily cleaned.MUST SCRAPE & PAINT PEELING PAINT ON WALLS & CEILINGIN PREP AREA,LUNCH ROOM,PREP AREA OFFICE,1ST FL GIRL'S,1ST FL WOMEN'S,ROOM 404,STAFF LOUNGE,PRE-K 402&403,2ND FL. MOP SINK,ADJUST DOOR SWEEPS ON ENTRY DOOR.MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE DAMAGED WALL BASES IN LUNCH ROOM.
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector’s note: Inspector Comments: All rooms in which food or drink is prepared, or in which utensils are washed, shall be lighted so that a minimum of 50-foot candles of light is available on all work surfaces.MUST REPLACE BURNT OUT LIGHT BULB IN LUNCH ROOM & STAFF LOUNGE.
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector’s note: Inspector Comments: Ventilation: All plumbing fixtures, such as toilets, sinks, washbasins, etc., must be adequately trapped, vented, and re-vented and properly connected to the sewer in accordance with the plumbing chapter of the Municipal Code of Chicago and the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Health.MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE LEAKY BACK FLOW DEVICE IN 1ST FL. MOP SINK.
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector’s note: Inspector Comments: All parts of the food establishment and all parts of the property used in connection with the operation of the establishment shall be kept neat and clean and should not produce any offensive odors.MUST ELEVATE ARTICLES OFF OF FLOOR IN ELECTRICAL ROOM.
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Fail
Canvass · Fail
5 general Show violations
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GeneralSerious (pre-2018 form)
Adequate number, convenient, accessible, properly designed and installed
Inspector’s note: When toilet and lavatory facilities are provided for the patrons of food establishments, such facilities shall be adequate in number, convenient, accessible, properly designed, and installed according to the municipal code.OBSERVED NO HOT RUNNING WATER AT HAND SINKS IN TOILET ROOMS 1ST & 2ND FL GIRL'S,PRE-K 402 ,PRE-K 403.MUST PROVIDE HOT RUNNING WATER AT HAND SINKS & MAINTAIN.
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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: The walls and ceilings shall be in good repair and easily cleaned.MUST SCRAPE & PAINT PEELING PAINT ON WALLS & CEILINGIN PREP AREA,LUNCH ROOM,PREP AREA OFFICE,1ST FL GIRL'S,1ST FL WOMEN'S,ROOM 404,STAFF LOUNGE,PRE-K 402&403,2ND FL. MOP SINK,ADJUST DOOR SWEEPS ON ENTRY DOOR.MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE DAMAGED WALL BASES IN LUNCH ROOM.
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector’s note: All rooms in which food or drink is prepared, or in which utensils are washed, shall be lighted so that a minimum of 50-foot candles of light is available on all work surfaces.MUST REPLACE BURNT OUT LIGHT BULB IN LUNCH ROOM & STAFF LOUNGE.
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector’s note: Ventilation: All plumbing fixtures, such as toilets, sinks, washbasins, etc., must be adequately trapped, vented, and re-vented and properly connected to the sewer in accordance with the plumbing chapter of the Municipal Code of Chicago and the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Health.MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE LEAKY BACK FLOW DEVICE IN 1ST FL. MOP SINK.
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector’s note: All parts of the food establishment and all parts of the property used in connection with the operation of the establishment shall be kept neat and clean and should not produce any offensive odors.MUST ELEVATE ARTICLES OFF OF FLOOR IN ELECTRICAL ROOM.
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Pass
Canvass · Pass
2 general Show violations
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector’s note: The floors shall be constructed per code, be smooth and easily cleaned, and be kept clean and in good repair. MUST CLEAN FLOORS THRU-OUT MDF ROOM AND 2ND FLOOR MOP CLOSET.
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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: The walls and ceilings shall be in good repair and easily cleaned. MUST REMOVE PEELING PAINT ON WALLS AND CEILING IN MOP CLOSET.
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Pass
Canvass · Pass
5 general Show violations
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector’s note: All utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized after each usage. MUST CLEAN-SANITIZE; CAN OPENER IN KITCHEN AND STORAGE CABINETS IN PRE-K CLASSROOMS 402, 403, 404.
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector’s note: The floors shall be constructed per code, be smooth and easily cleaned, and be kept clean and in good repai MUST CLEAN FLOORS; INSIDE LIBRARY AND MOP CLOSETS.
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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: The walls and ceilings shall be in good repair and easily cleaned. MUST REPAIR AND PAINT WALLS INSIDE 2ND FLOOR MOP CLOSET.
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector’s note: Ventilation: All plumbing fixtures, such as toilets, sinks, washbasins, etc., must be adequately trapped, vented, and re-vented and properly connected to the sewer in accordance with the plumbing chapter of the Municipal Code of Chicago and the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Health. MUST REPAIR 3PART SINK FAUCET AND 2ND FLOOR GIRLS WASHROOM HAND BOWLS FAUCETS.
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector’s note: Clutter thru-out library and storage rooms, must remove unnecessary articles, clean and organize to prevent pest harborage.
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More in ZIP 60623
Source: Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) open data, refreshed hourly. Last inspection 8 weeks ago. Always confirm with the official record.