ACERO ESMERALDA SANTIAGO CHARTER SCHOOL
2510 W CORTEZ, CHICAGO, IL 60622 · School
Inspection summary
ACERO ESMERALDA SANTIAGO CHARTER SCHOOL has been inspected 9 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since March 22, 2018. The most recent inspection, on June 1, 2026, recorded 2 infractions.
4 of 9 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there was 1 inspection with 2 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Food temperature control and Cleaning and sanitizing.
The number of infractions per inspection has stayed roughly the same over time.
What these findings mean
Health authorities word their findings differently, so we group them by what they mean for your health. Higher-risk findings are the ones inspectors treat as critical, because they can directly make someone sick.
Food temperature controlHigher risk
Inspectors check that anything that has to be kept at a set temperature, such as chilled or hot food, or equipment like sterilizers, stays in its safe range and that accurate thermometers are on hand. With food, temperature problems are one of the most common causes of food poisoning.
Recorded once on June 1, 2026. For example:
THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
Cleaning and sanitizingHigher risk
Surfaces, dishes and tools that touch food or people must be cleaned and then sanitized or disinfected. Inspectors check sanitizer strength, dishwasher temperatures and how cleaning is done. Poor sanitizing lets germs survive from one use to the next.
Recorded once on August 28, 2025. For example:
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
Building, plumbing and upkeepLower risk
Floors, walls and ceilings must be clean and in good repair, with working lighting, ventilation, plumbing, hot and cold water, and washrooms. These are rarely an immediate health risk on their own, but persistent problems can lead to pest or sanitation issues.
Recorded 5 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on June 1, 2026. For example:
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
Equipment and utensilsLower risk
Equipment has to be made of cleanable materials, kept in good repair and stored properly. These findings are mostly about upkeep, like a cracked surface or worn part. They are generally lower risk but show how well the place is maintained.
Recorded once on March 22, 2018. For example:
VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
About this data
These results come from Chicago Department of Public Health, which inspects food premises and other public facilities in this area. We republish the authority's public disclosure data and refresh it regularly; the official record is the final word.
9 inspections
- Canvass
2 infractions
- 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
- OBSERVED NO THERMOMETER INSIDE PERSONAL KITCHEN REFRIGERATOR.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN A VISIBLE ACCURATE, WORKING THERMOMETER IN SAID COOLER.
- 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
- INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN THE KITCHEN EXHAUST HOOD SYSTEM/FILTERS TO REMOVE ACCUMULATION OF DUSTS AND MAINTAIN.
- 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
- Canvass
1 infraction
- 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
- MUST REMOVE ICE BUILD UP FROM WALK IN FREEZER SHELVING UNITS.
- 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
- Canvass
0 infractions
- Canvass
0 infractions
- Canvass
0 infractions
- Canvass
0 infractions
- Canvass
1 infraction
- 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
- OBSERVED NO COVERED TRASH RECEPTACLE IN WOMEN'S EMPLOYEE RESTROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
- 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
- Canvass
3 infractions
- 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
- OBSERVED SLOW DRAINING AT THE EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK LOCATED NEXT TO PREP SINK IN REAR PREP AREA. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
- 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
- OBSERVED A FEW WATER DAMAGED AND BROKEN CEILING TILES IN LUNCH ROOM AREA ABOVE SITTING AREA. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
- 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
- OBSERVED PEELING PAINT ON PIPES ABOVE 2-DOOR TALL REFRIGERATOR IN REAR PREP AREA. MUST REPAINT AND MAINTAIN.
- 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
- Canvass
1 infraction
- 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
- NOTED A LEAK AT THE BASE OF THE HAND SINK FIXTURE IN THE GIRLS WASHROOM. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
- 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
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