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Irene C. Hernandez Middle School

3510 W 55th ST, CHICAGO, IL 60632 · School

Inspection summary

Irene C. Hernandez Middle School has been inspected 20 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since May 26, 2010. The most recent inspection, on September 16, 2026, recorded 4 infractions.

3 of 20 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there was 1 inspection with 4 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Pests, Handwashing and staff hygiene 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.

  • 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 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on September 16, 2026. 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 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on September 15, 2025. For example: PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

  • 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 September 15, 2021. For example: NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

  • 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 once on May 26, 2010. For example: FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED

  • 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 16 times across 9 separate inspections, most recently on September 16, 2026. For example: PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

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.

20 inspections

  1. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED OPENINGS AT BASE OF LEFT EXIT DOORS OF REAR EXIT DOORS 5 AND 9. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL ALL OUTER OPENINGS TO PREVENT PEST ENTRANCE.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED BOXES STORED ON MILK CRATES IN FRONT PREP AREA BEHIND SERVING LINE NEAR TWO DOOR REFRIGERATOR. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHELVING UNITS TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD AND NON FOOD ITEMS AT LEAST SIX INCHES OFF OF FLOOR FOR EASE OF CLEANABILITY.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED LEAKING DRAINPIPE OF SANITIZER COMPARTMENT OF THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED BUILDUP ON INTERIOR OF FLOOR DRAIN UNDERNEATH THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN INTERIOR OF SAID FLOOR DRAIN AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED DEBRIS ON FLOOR, IN CORNERS AND ALONG BASES OF WALL IN DRY STORAGE ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN IN SAID AREA AND MAINTAIN.
  2. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • MISSING PROCEDURE AND EFFECTIVE SANITIZER FOR NOROVIRUS. INSTD TO PROVIDE PROCEDURE AND NECESSARY SUPPLIES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005
  3. Canvass

    0 infractions

  4. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • MISSING HANDWASH SIGNAGE AT HANDWASH SINKS IN STUDENTS TOILET ROOMS. INSTD TO PROVIDE SIGNAGE AND MAINTAIN
  5. Canvass Re-Inspection

    5 infractions

    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • FOUND COOLER ON RIGHT SIDE OF KITCHEN NEXT TO WARMER IN POOR REPAIR. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • FOUND LEAKING PIPE AT 2ND FLOOR EAST BOY'S RESTROOM HAND SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • FOUND NO COVERED RECEPTACLE IN STAFF UNISEX RESTROOMS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • FOUND MISSING CEILING TILE IN KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • FOUND MULTIPLE CEILING LIGHTS IN POOR REPAIR IN KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
  6. Canvass

    6 infractions

    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • FOUND HAND SINKS AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE AT ALL STAFF AND STUDENT RESTROOMS (EXCEPT 1ST FLOOR WEST STAFF & KITCHEN STAFF RESTROOMS) ON FLOORS 1, 2, AND 3. TEMPERATURE MUST BE 100F-120F. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-030 (C).
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • FOUND COOLER ON RIGHT SIDE OF KITCHEN NEXT TO WARMER IN POOR REPAIR. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • FOUND LEAKING PIPE AT 2ND FLOOR EAST BOY'S RESTROOM HAND SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • FOUND NO COVERED RECEPTACLE IN STAFF UNISEX RESTROOMS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • FOUND MISSING CEILING TILE IN KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • FOUND MULTIPLE CEILING LIGHTS IN POOR REPAIR IN KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
  7. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • EXCESSIVE ICE ACCUMULATION IN WALK IN FREEZER AND MILK COOLER AT SERVICE LINE. INSTD TO REMOVE ICE AND MAINTAIN
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • NO COVER FOR RECEPTACLE IN WOMENS STAFF TOILET ROOM. INSTD TO PROVIDE COVER AND MAINTAIN
  8. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • 6-202.15 OBSERVED A 1/2 INCH GAP AT THE BOTTOM FAR RIGHT CORNER OF THE EXIT DOOR LOCATED BY THE LUNCHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO MAKE SAID DOOR TIGHT FITTING.
  9. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • DUST ACCUMULATION ON VENT COVERS AND SURROUNDING CEILING TILES AND LIGHTSHIELDS IN PREP AREA. INSTD TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
  10. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • EXTREME CLUTTER/UNNECESSARY ARTICLES (BOOKS, UNUSED EQUIPMENT) ON FLOOR THROUGH MECHANICAL ROOM 205. INSTD TO REMOVE ALL, ELEVATE ALL NECESSARY ARTICLES AND MAINTAIN AREA.
  11. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • OBSERVED THE #10 CAN OPENER NOT CLEAN, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE.
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • OBSERVED THE LIGHT NOT WORKING NEX.T TO THE HOOD IN THE PREP KITCHEN, INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR.
  12. Canvass

    0 infractions

  13. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • IMPROPERLY DESIGNED TRASH CONTAINERS BEING USED IN CAFETERIA/PREP AREA, USING PLASTIC BUCKETS. INSTD TO USE PROPERLY DESIGNED/CONSTRUCTED TRASH RECEPTACLES WITH LIDS.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • VENTS AT FRONT SERVING LINE WITH DUST ACCUMULATION. INSTD TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SAME.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • EMPLOYEE BELONGINGS IMPROPERLY STORED. INSTD TO STORE IN DESIGNATED AREA.
  14. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 19. OUTSIDE GARBAGE WASTE GREASE AND STORAGE AREA; CLEAN, RODENT PROOF, ALL CONTAINERS COVERED
      • OBSERVED RECYCLYING CONTAINER UNCOVERED. INSTRUCTED TO PUSH DOWN BOXES AND KEEP ALL CONTAINERS COVERED WHEN NOT IN USE. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-020
    • 26. ADEQUATE NUMBER, CONVENIENT, ACCESSIBLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED AND INSTALLED
      • OBSERVED NO TEMPERED WATER (69.7) AT BOYS 1ST FLOOR WEST BATHROOM AND STAFF 3RD FLOOR EAST BATHROOM (63.7). CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-030
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • OBSERVED GIRLS WASHROOM 1ST FLOOR WEST. CEILING VENTS WITH DUST ACCUMULATION. CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
  15. Canvass Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  16. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 11. ADEQUATE NUMBER, CONVENIENT, ACCESSIBLE, DESIGNED, AND MAINTAINED
      • NO HOT RUNNING WATER NOR TEMPERED IN MEN OR WOMENS FOOD SERVICE STAFF TOILET ROOM HANDSINKS. TEMPERATURE IS 59.9F. MGR STATES ONGOING ISSUE. INSTD TO PROVIDE AMPLE, ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF HOT/TEMPERED WATER AT HANDSINKS AT ALL TIMES. INSTD FOOD SERVICE STAFF TO UTILIZE STUDENTS/TEACHERS TOILET ROOMS IN MAIN SECTION OF BUILDING UNTIL REPAIRED. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-030 CRITICAL.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • FLOOR IN PREP AREA NOT CLEAN, STAINED. INSTD TO CLEAN, REMOVE STAINS AS NECESSARY.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • CEILING TILES IN PREP AREA NOT CLEAN. CLEANS SAME.
  17. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 9. WATER SOURCE: SAFE, HOT & COLD UNDER CITY PRESSURE
      • NO HOT RUNNING WATER IN THE FOOD SERVICE EMPLOYEES TOILET ROOMS MEN AND WOMEN BY THE KITCHEN AT 9:30AM. THEY ONLY HAVE COLD RUNNING WATER. CRITICAL CITATION GIVEN.7-38-030. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE HOT WATER TO BOTH TOILET ROOMS. THE ENGINEER AND THE PLUMBER CORRECTED DURING INSPECTION.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • CLEAN THE HOOD AND FILTERS ABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENT HAS GREASE BUILDUP.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • CLEAN THE FLOORS IN THE PREP AREA UNDER THE HEAVY EQUIPMENT HAS SOME DUST BUILDUP ON THEM.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • CLEAN ALL THE CEILING VENTS IN ALL THE TOILET ROOMS THROUGHOUT PREMISES HAS DUST BUILDUP ON THEM.
  18. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • 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. FOUND CLUTTER IN THE BOOK STORE ROOM 312. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND ORGNIZE SO NO INSECT OR RODENT HARBORAGE.
  19. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • INTERIOR OF HOOD, VENTS AND SURROUNDING LIGHTSHIELDS AND CEILING TILES IN PREP AREA NOT CLEAN, DUST ACCUMULATION. CLEAN SAME.
  20. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 30. FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED
      • All food not stored in the original container shall be stored in properly labeled containers.MUST LABEL DRY FOOD CONTAINERS IN THE FOOD PREP AREA.

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