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LAZARO CARDENAS SOUTH

2524 S Central Park (3600W), CHICAGO, IL 60623 · School

Inspection summary

LAZARO CARDENAS SOUTH has been inspected 8 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since September 13, 2018. The most recent inspection, on September 10, 2026, recorded 5 infractions.

None of the 8 inspections on record were free of infractions. In the past 12 months there was 1 inspection with 5 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Handwashing and staff hygiene, Pests and Protecting food from contamination.

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.

  • 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 across 2 separate inspections, most recently on September 10, 2026. For example: ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

  • 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 on September 18, 2024. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

  • 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 September 10, 2026. For example: CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

  • 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 12 times across 7 separate inspections, most recently on September 10, 2026. For example: PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

  • 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on September 18, 2024. For example: FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

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.

8 inspections

  1. Canvass

    5 infractions

    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED TIMED FAUCET NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY ON LEFT SINK IN GIRLS FIRST FLOOR WASHROOM. WATER MUST RUN CONTINUOUSLY FOR AT LEAST 15 SECONDS BEFORE REACTIVATING FAUCET.
    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS STORED ON FLOOR INSIDE WALK-IN FREEZER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELEVATE ALL ITEMS SIX INCHES OFF FLOOR.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED NO HOT WATER AT RIGHT HANDWASHING SINK IN GIRLS WASHROOM AND LOOSE FAUCET ON HANDWASHING SINK IN BOYS' LOWER-LEVEL WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 54. GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED
      • OBSERVED NO WASTE RECEPTACLE AT HAND WASHING SINKS IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE WASTE RECEPTACLES IN ALL AREAS WASTE IS COMMONLY DISCARDED.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED PEELING PAINT ON BRICK WALLS IN DINING AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR. WALLS SHALL BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
  2. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED ITEMS STORED ON FLOOR IN HALLWAYS IN PROXIMITY OF CAFETERIA. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO ELEVATE AND MAINTAIN ITEMS AT LEAST SIX INCHES FROM FLOOR FOR THE PREVENTION OF PEST HARBORAGE.
  3. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 50 RODENT DROPPINGS IN DRY STORAGE UNDER DRY SHELVES ON PERIMETER OF WALL. OBSERVED ADDITIONAL 50 DROPPINGS IN MOP CLOSET. ALL RODENT DROPPINGS WERE CLEANED AND ALL EFFECTIVE AREAS WERE SANITIZED DURING INPSECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020 (a)
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED EXTERIOR DOORS DIRECTLY OUTSIDE THE SOUTH LUNCHROOM. ALTHOUGH DOORSWEEPS ARE INSTALLED THEY ARE INADEQUATE. THE WORN CONCRETE PATH WHERE SHOWS WHERE THE RODENTS ARE ENTERING. CONCRETE UNDER DOOR SWEEP MUST BE RESTORED TO A FLUSH CONDITION SO TAHT DOOR SWEEP IS EFFECTIVE.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED HOLE IN BRICK WALL BEHIND DOOR ON LEFT SIDE OF EXITWAY LEADING FROM SOUTH CAFETERIA TO NORTH CAFETERIA. CLOSE HOLE TO DETER ENTRYPOINTS FOR RODENTS.
  4. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED MISSING PAINT AND HOLES IN WALL OF MEN'S TEACHERS TOILET ROOM ON SECOND FLOOR. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR TO MAKE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
  5. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • INSTRUCTED THAT ALL FEMALE WASHROOMS MUST HAVE WASTE RECEPTACLES WITH LIDS; MUST PROVIDE.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED PEELING PAINT ON THE WALLS IN THE SOUTH LUNCHROOM SEATING AREA BY TABLES AND BEHIND A REFRIGERATION UNIT; INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE PEELING PAINT; REPAINT AREA OR PROVIDE A WALL COVERING (SHEET METAL OR WALL PANELING) ON SECTIONS OF THE WALL THAT ARE PEELING AND DAMAGED FROM TABLES.
  6. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED RUSTY FLOORS INSIDE WALK-IN COOLERS IN KITCHEN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO HAVE FLOORS REPAIRED/SEALED TO PREVENT FURTHER DETERIORATION OR ANY CONTAMINATION TO FOOD.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • OBSERVED NO COVERED RECEPTACLE IN GIRLS AND STAFF RESTROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED PEELING PAINT ON CEILING AND WALLS IN SUPPLY ROOM AND DAMAGED FLOOR TILES IN KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
  7. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • WALLS AND CEILINGS IN ALL UTILITY SINK CLOSETS THROUGH OUT BUILDING IN POOR REPAIR, CRUMBLING AND DAMAGED SURFACES. INSTD TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN SAME SO AS SURFACES TO BE A SMOOTH, EVEN, EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACE
  8. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • 2-102.14 OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY PROCEDURE.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION-NO CITATION ISSUED)
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • 2-501.11 OBSERVED NO CLEAN-UP POLICY PROCEDURE FOR VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION-NO CITATION ISSUED)
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • 5-205.15A MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE MISSING FAUCET HANDLE TOP IN BASEMENT GIRL'S TOILETROOM.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • 6-201.13 MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE LOOSE WALL BASE IN PREP AREA AND BROKEN FLOOR TILES IN BOTH LUNCHROOMS.

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