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FIRST ACADEMY

2555-2557 W Peterson AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60659 · Children's Services Facility

Inspection summary

FIRST ACADEMY has been inspected 16 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since March 26, 2015. The most recent inspection, on February 17, 2026, found no infractions.

5 of 16 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there was 1 inspection with 0 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Food temperature control, Pests and Handwashing and staff hygiene.

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 3 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on January 3, 2018. For example: FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE

  • PestsHigher risk

    Signs of mice, rats, cockroaches or flies, or gaps and clutter that let them get in or hide. Pests carry bacteria and can contaminate food, supplies and surfaces, so evidence of activity is treated seriously and usually triggers a follow-up visit.

    Recorded 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on January 6, 2025. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

  • Handwashing and staff hygieneHigher risk

    Hands are one of the main ways germs spread, from person to person and onto food and surfaces. Inspectors look for stocked, accessible handwashing sinks, staff washing their hands when required, and sick staff being kept away from work where it matters. Gaps here can spread illness quickly.

    Recorded 2 times on February 19, 2019. For example: PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

  • Food source, labelling and allergensHigher risk

    Food and other products must come from approved sources, stay in labelled containers and be thrown out when spoiled, expired or damaged. Labelling also matters for allergies: an unlabelled container can hide an allergen.

    Recorded 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on January 3, 2018. For example: FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED

  • Protecting food from contaminationHigher risk

    This covers how food and supplies are stored and handled: kept covered, off the floor, and away from anything that could contaminate them. Where food is served, raw meat must be kept away from ready-to-eat food, a direct route for salmonella and E. coli.

    Recorded once on December 1, 2020. For example: CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

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.

16 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. License

    1 infraction

    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED 1/4 INCH GAP AT REAR EXIT DOOR SWEEP. MUST RODENT PROOF DOOR AND MAINTAIN.
  3. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 45. SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED
      • PLASTIC FORKS IN THE KITCHEN, USED FOR CHILDREN MUST BE PROPERLY STORED.INVERT TO MINIMIZE SOURCE OF CONTAMINATION
  4. License

    0 infractions

  5. License

    2 infractions

    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED SOME FOOD DEBRIS ON FLOOR IN REAR KITCHEN PREPARATION AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • OBSERVED ONE EMPLOYEE WITH AN EXPIRED FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO RENEW EXPIRED FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE TO COMPLY WITH CDPH FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS.
  6. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED FOOD SPLATTERS INSIDE OF MICROWAVE. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
  7. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • OBSERVED MOP STORED IN MOP BUCKET FILLED WITH WATER. INSTRUCTED MOPS SHOULD BE HUNG ON A HOOK UPSIDE DOWN WHEN NOT IN USE.
    • 54. GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED
      • OBSERVED SLIGHT BUILD UP OF TRASH AND DEBRIS ON GROUND AROUND DUMPSTER. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN TO PREVENT ATTRACTING PESTS.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED BUILD UP OF DUST ON VENT ABOVE EXPOSED HAND SINK IN UNUSED CLASSROOM. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
  8. License

    4 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010- NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • NO CLEAN UP PROCEDURE FOR VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED
    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • NO HAND SOAP ON THE HAND SINK IN THE PREP/DISH AREA. MUST PROVIDE. MANAGER PROVIDED THE HAND SOAP ON THE HAND SINK DURING INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-030(C) CITATION ISSUED
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • BACKFLOW PREVENTER DEVICE NOT LOCATED ON THE MOP SINK FAUCET. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL TO BE ABLE TO SERVICE,LOCATE AND MAINTAINED.
  9. Canvass Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  10. Canvass

    7 infractions

    • 2. FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE
      • FACILITIES UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE TEMPERATURES. INFANT ROOM COOLER FOUND WITH AN AMBIENT TEMPERATURE RANGING BETWEEN 45.9F TO 48F WITH MILK AT 45.9F. COOLER TAGGED HELD FOR INSPECTION AND MUST NOT USE UNTIL REPAIRED AND MAINTAINS A TEMPERATURE OF 40F OR BELOW. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005(A).
    • 3. POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE
      • APPROXIMATELY 2 LBS MILK FOUND AT INADEQUATE TEMPERATURE OF 45.9F IN THE INFANT ROOM COOLER. MILK DISCARDED. MANAGEMENT STATES ESTIMATED VALUE TO BE $10.00. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005(A).
    • 11. ADEQUATE NUMBER, CONVENIENT, ACCESSIBLE, DESIGNED, AND MAINTAINED
      • HAND WASHING FACILITY NOT MAINTAINED. HOT WATER HANDLE AT THE KITCHEN EXPOSED HAND SINK UNABLE TO TURN OFF. HANDLE STRIPPED. HOT WATER MUST BE TURNED ON AND OFF FROM MAIN VALVE UNDER THE SINK. ALSO, NO PAPER TOWELS LOCATED AT THE SAME SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR THE SINK TO PROVIDE HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER FROM THE HANDLES AT THE SINK. USE ADDITIONAL HAND WASHING SINKS AVAILABLE IN CLASSROOMS UNTIL SINK IS REPAIRED. PAPER TOWELS PROVIDED DURING THE INSPECTION. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-030.
    • 30. FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED
      • PREPARED READY TO EAT FOODS INSIDE THE KITCHEN COOLER MUST BE LABELED AND DATED.
    • 31. CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES
      • MUST PROVIDE A SCOOP WITH A HANDLE FOR THE READY TO EAT CHEX SNACK MIX AND NOT STORE THE SCOOP INSIDE THE PREPARED SNACK.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • EXCESSIVE DUST ON BOTH CEILING VENTS INSIDE THE WASHROOMS FOR THE THREE YEAR AND TWO AND A HALF YEAR CLASSROOMS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • ALL STORED ITEMS THROUGHOUT THE STORAGE/LAUNDRY ROOM MUST BE ELEVATED FROM THE FLOORS 6" OR ABOVE AND ALL UNNECESSARY ITEMS REMOVED.
  11. Canvass

    0 infractions

  12. License

    0 infractions

  13. License

    3 infractions

    • 30. FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED
      • NOTED FOOD ITEMS STORED IN GROCERY BAG INSIDE THE 2 DOOR REFRIGERATION UNITS. INSTRUCTED TO STORE FOOD ITEMS INSIDE APPROVED FOOD GRADE BAGS.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • NOTED WATER LEAKING FROM THE O-RING OF THE HAND WASH SINK AT THE KITCHEN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • NOTED CLUTTER AT THE DRY STORAGE ROOM WITH EQUIPMENT ETC. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN, ORGANIZE AND/OR REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY ARTICLES TO PREVENT HIDING PLACES FOR PEST.
  14. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • OBSERVED FLOOR DRAIN IN KITCHEN CLOGGED. WHEN 3 COMP SINK IS DRAINED WATER BACKS UP FROM FLOOR DRAIN ONTO FLOOR. CLEAR FLOOR DRAIN AND CLEAN FLOOR DRAIN. OBSERVED ODOR FROM FLOOR DRAIN. ELIMINATE ODOR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 40. REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS
      • OBSERVED METAL STEM THERMOMETER WITH LOW BATTERY. MAINTAIN DIGITAL THERMOMETER SO THAT ALL FOOD DELIVERED IS AT PROPER TEMOERATURE OF AT LEAST 140F. MAINTAIN ALL HOT FOOD AT 140 AND COLD FOOD AT 40 OR LOWER.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • OBSERVED CLOSET CONTAINING WASHER AND DRYER WITH EXCESS CLUTTER. CLEAN AND ORGANIZE CLOSET TO ALLOW PEST CONTROL FULL ACEES. ALL ITEMS NEED TO BE 6 INCHES OFF FLOOR AND 6 INCHES AWAY FROM FLOOR.
  15. License Re-Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • Above violation still remaining(Excess debris and clutter shall be removed from premises, laundry room, classrooms).
  16. License

    5 infractions

    • 18. NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS
      • Above had no proof of pest control service, pest control log book, must provide proof of pest control service, pest control log book. Found observed rear exit doors not rodent proofed, doors had gaps on bottom of doors, ranging from 1/4 inch, to 1/2 inch gaps, must rodent proof doors.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • Cooler shelving/racks not clean, need detailed cleaning, shelving above 3 compartment sink not clean, need detailed cleaning.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • Floors in kitchen area, rear storage areas, and throughout premises not clean, need detailed cleaning(corners).
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • Missing vent guard, cover in staff room, shall be provided.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • Excess debris and clutter shall be removed from premises, laundry room, classrooms.

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