Skip to content
Loading map…

MARK TWAIN ELEMENTARY

5134 S LOTUS, CHICAGO, IL 60638 · School

Inspection summary

MARK TWAIN ELEMENTARY has been inspected 20 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since April 21, 2010. The most recent inspection, on September 16, 2026, found no infractions.

6 of 20 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: Cleaning and sanitizing.

The last 2 inspections in a row found no infractions. Recent inspections have recorded fewer infractions than earlier ones, so the record is improving.

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.

  • 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 8, 2023. For example: FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

  • 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 16 times across 11 separate inspections, most recently on September 8, 2023. For example: FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

  • 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 8 times across 7 separate inspections, most recently on September 13, 2024. For example: PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

  • Other findingsLower risk

    Findings that do not fit the categories above, such as follow-ups that confirm an earlier violation was corrected, or requirements specific to this type of facility.

    Recorded 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on January 18, 2017. For example: PREVIOUS SERIOUS VIOLATION CORRECTED, 7-42-090

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

    0 infractions

  2. Canvass

    0 infractions

  3. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED ITEMS STORED ON FLOOR IN STORAGE CLOSET OF 1ST FLOOR CLASSROOM #167. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO ORGANIZE AND MAINTAIN ALL ITEMS AT LEAST SIX INCHES FROM FLOOR AT ALL TIMES.
  4. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 16. FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED
      • OBSERVED RESIDUE ON INTERIOR PANEL OF ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED MILK CRATES USED AS SHELVING UNITS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHELVING FOR STORAGE.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • OBSERVED NO COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE IN KITCHEN STAFF WOMEN WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED DUST BUILDUP BETWEEN WALLS, HOT HOLDING UNIT AND REACH-IN COOLER IN SERVING AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
  5. Canvass

    0 infractions

  6. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • MISSING COVER FOR RECEPTACLES IN GIRL STUDENTS TOILET ROOMS (OLD BUILDING) AND FEMALE KITCHEN STAFF TOILET ROOM. INTD TO PROVIDE COVERS AND MAINTAIN
  7. Canvass

    0 infractions

  8. Canvass

    0 infractions

  9. 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 ONE LIGHT OUT AT THE WALK-IN FREEZER, INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR.
  10. Canvass Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  11. Canvass Re-Inspection

    2 infractions

    • 14. PREVIOUS SERIOUS VIOLATION CORRECTED, 7-42-090
      • PREVIOUS SERIOUS VIOLATION FROM 1/11/17 REPORT 1981215 NOT CORRECTED: NO HOT NOR TEMPERED WATER AT HANDSINKS IN STUDENTS TOILET ROOMS AT NORTHWEST SIDE OF (OLD) BUILDING, RANGING FROM 60F-70F. INSTD TO PROVIDE MINIMUM OF 85F AT HANDSINKS. VIOLTION CRITICAL 7-38-030.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • FAN COVERS AND CEILING IN WALK IN COOLER WITH DUST ACCUMULATION. INSTD TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SAME
  12. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 26. ADEQUATE NUMBER, CONVENIENT, ACCESSIBLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED AND INSTALLED
      • NO HOT NOR TEMPERED WATER AT HANDSINKS IN STUDENTS TOILET ROOMS AT NORTHWEST SIDE OF (OLD) BUILDING, RANGING FROM 67F-70F. INSTD TO PROVIDE MINIMUM OF 85F AT HANDSINKS. VIOLATIONS SERIOUS 7-38-030.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • FAN COVERS AND CEILING IN WALK IN COOLER WITH DUST ACCUMULATION. INSTD TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SAME.
  13. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • FLOOR DRIAN IN NEED OF CLEANING AT ICE MACHINE TO REMOVE BUILD UP. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
  14. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • OBSERVED THE DISH MACHINE NOT CLEAN WITH A LIME BUILD UP, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN/REMOVE LIME.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • OBSERVED THE CEILING LIGHT SHIELDS IN THE KITCHEN NOT CLEAN, IN FRONT OF THE WALK-IN FREEZER AND IN FRONT THE OFFICE/LOCKER AREA,INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • OBSERVED THE FACUET LEAKING AT THE DISH ROOM 1 COMP. SINK, INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR.
  15. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • FOUND INTERIOR OF FLOOR DRAINS IN NEED OF CLEANING IN FRONT OF ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • FOUND DIRT/DUST PARTICLES ON THE CEILING/WALL IN FRONT OF THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN CEILING/WALLS.
  16. Canvass Re-Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • VENTS AND SURROUNDING CEILING TILES WITH DUST ACCUMULATION. CLEAN SAME
  17. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 26. ADEQUATE NUMBER, CONVENIENT, ACCESSIBLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED AND INSTALLED
      • BOYS TOILET ROOMS IN MAIN BUILDING (1ST AND 2ND FLOOR) IN POOR REPAIR, TOILETS UNABLE TO FLUSH. INSTD TO PROPERLY REPAIR SAME AND HAVE TOILETS DRAINING PROPERLY. INSTD TO REFRAIN FROM USING AFFECTED TOILET ROOMS AND USE OTHER FACILITIES THAT ARE IN GOOD REPAIR. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-030 SERIOUS.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • VENTS AND SURROUNDING CEILING TILES WITH DUST ACCUMULATIONM. CLEAN SAME.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • FAUCET AT SINK IN DISHMACHINE AREA IN POOR REPAIR, WRAPPED WITH RAG AND PLASTIC. INSTD TO REPAIR SAME.
  18. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • ICE MACHINE IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE BUILD UP. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • LIGHTS IN STORAGE AND ICE MACHINE AREA IN NEED OF SHIELDING WITH TUBES AND END CAPS. MUST CORRECT AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • LEAKS AT 1 COMP SPRAYER UNITS AT DISH MACHINE. MUST CORRECT AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
  19. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • PEELING PAINT ON CEILING IN RM 206,209, 211, 2ND FLOOR HALLWAY AND IN STUDENTS TOILET ROOMS. REMOVE SAME.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • LEAK AT UTILITY SINK 2ND FLOOR STORAGE CLOSET (ORIGINAL BUILDING). REPAIR SAME.
  20. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • PEELING PAINT ON BOYS TOILET ROOM CEILING (1ST FLOOR ORIGINAL SECTION OF SCHOOL). REPAIR SAME.

Nearby inspected facilities

Own this business? Add a badge to your website