Week 16 Failed Inspections: Rodent Issues Lead Multiple Chicago Establishments to Fail

Inspection Overview

CHICAGO, IL - The Chicago Department of Public Health conducted numerous food establishment inspections during week 16 (April 14-20, 2025), resulting in 32 failed inspections with a total of 225 violations. A concerning pattern emerged across these failed inspections, with rodent infestations being the most prevalent critical issue. This analysis examines the inspection results, highlighting the most significant violations and identifying patterns that pose risks to public health.

This week's failed inspections spanned various establishment types, including restaurants, schools, convenience stores, and daycare facilities. The findings reveal persistent challenges in maintaining proper sanitation standards, particularly in pest control, physical facility maintenance, and proper food handling procedures.

Rodent Infestations: A Widespread Issue

Rodent activity was documented in 11 of the 32 failed establishments (34.4%), making it one of the most common critical violations. These infestations ranged from moderate to severe, with some locations having over 100 rodent droppings. El Pueblito Mexican Grill had "over 100 rodent droppings in rear mop sink area and area around hot water heater," while Thomas Hoyne Elementary School had "over 80 mice droppings scattered on shelves, piping, and floor along walls and corners in gym office/lounge 117."

Other establishments with significant rodent issues included TNT with 20-30 large rodent droppings in the basement area, IHOP with approximately 25 rat droppings in the main prep area, and Cafe Central with approximately 100 rat droppings in the basement. Thorp Elementary/Learn Charter had over 170 mice droppings scattered throughout multiple pre-K classrooms.

The prevalence of rodent infestations is particularly concerning as rodents can transmit various diseases through their droppings, urine, and saliva. They can also contaminate food surfaces and supplies, posing a significant public health risk. All establishments with rodent activity were issued Priority Foundation violations under code 7-38-020(A), and many received citations.

Educational Facilities: Concerning Conditions

Five educational facilities failed inspections during week 16, representing 15.6% of all failed inspections. These included Thomas Hoyne Elementary, Thorp Elementary/Learn Charter, Nino's Heroes Elementary, Morton Career Academy, and Vanderpoel Magnet.

The most concerning findings were at Thorp Elementary/Learn Charter, which had 24 violations, the highest number among all failed establishments. Violations included inadequate handwashing facilities, significant rodent activity with over 170 mice droppings scattered throughout multiple pre-K classrooms, plumbing issues, and cluttered storage areas. Thomas Hoyne Elementary also had significant rodent activity with over 80 mice droppings in the gym office/lounge.

The conditions in these educational facilities are particularly concerning given that they serve vulnerable populations. Children are more susceptible to foodborne illnesses, and proper sanitation in schools is essential for maintaining public health. The high number of violations at Thorp Elementary/Learn Charter suggests systemic issues with facility maintenance and pest control that require immediate attention.

Restaurant Chains: Franchise Failures

Several chain restaurants failed inspections during week 16, including two Dunkin' Donuts locations, an IHOP, and Rosati's Pizza. These establishments, despite having corporate standards and training programs, demonstrated significant lapses in food safety and sanitation practices.

The IHOP location at 4210 N Cicero Ave had evidence of rodent activity with approximately 25 rat droppings in the main prep area, excessive grease build-up on the outdoor grease container, and expired allergen training. Both Dunkin' Donuts locations had issues with garbage disposal, physical facility maintenance, and cleanliness. The Dunkin' at 5200 N Lincoln Ave had stained cutting boards, unclean food preparation areas, and an overflowing garbage dumpster, while the Dunkin' at 1201 N Clark St had inadequate handwashing facilities and unclean floors.

Rosati's Pizza Uptown had over 50 rodent droppings behind the front counter and in the rear prep/dishwashing area, improper food storage practices, and unclean storage racks with mold-like build-up in the walk-in cooler.

The failure of these chain restaurants highlights a concerning disconnect between corporate food safety standards and on-the-ground implementation. These establishments typically have standardized training programs and regular internal audits, yet they still exhibited significant violations during health inspections. This suggests potential issues with management oversight, employee training, or facility maintenance that extend beyond individual locations to corporate policies and practices.

Most Common Violations

Analysis of the 225 violations across the 32 failed establishments reveals several common categories of violations that represent systemic challenges in food safety and sanitation:

Physical Facilities Maintenance (Violation #55)

Physical facility maintenance issues were the most common violation, appearing 36 times across the 32 failed establishments. These violations included unclean floors and walls, stained ceiling tiles, chipping paint, damaged floor tiles, and cluttered storage areas. For example, El Pueblito Mexican Grill had "floors unclean under and behind all cooking equipment and refrigeration units" and "stained ceiling tiles directly above open food prep area." OH Hen Mart had "stained ceiling tiles, damaged and missing floor tiles in prep, sales, storage, and washroom areas."

Food & Non-Food Contact Surfaces (Violations #47 & #49)

Issues with food and non-food contact surfaces were also prevalent, with 33 violations across the failed establishments. These included improper materials used for food contact surfaces, damaged cutting boards, equipment wrapped in foil, milk crates used as shelving, and unclean food preparation surfaces. DMK Burger Bar had "milk crates being used as shelving throughout the prep and storage areas," while Dunkin' Donuts had "stained cutting boards on top of the prep line coolers."

Handwashing Facilities (Violation #10)

Inadequate handwashing facilities were cited 14 times, including missing soap, paper towels, or handwashing signage. Las Islas Marias had a "hand wash sink at the bar area inaccessible with buckets and dishes stored in the basin of the sink" and "no soap and paper towel at front prep handwashing sink." Thorp Elementary/Learn Charter had "no paper towels in first floor staff washroom" and "no soap in boys washroom near 172B and girls washroom near 109."

These common violations highlight systemic issues in food safety and sanitation practices across Chicago's food establishments. The prevalence of physical facility maintenance issues and inadequate cleaning of food and non-food contact surfaces suggests that many establishments struggle with basic sanitation and cleanliness. The significant number of handwashing violations is particularly concerning given that proper handwashing is one of the most effective ways to prevent foodborne illness.

Geographic Distribution of Failed Inspections

The 32 failed inspections were distributed across various neighborhoods in Chicago, with some areas showing higher concentrations of violations. The South Side had the highest number of failed inspections with 14 establishments (43.8%), followed by the North Side with 11 establishments (34.4%), and the West Side with 7 establishments (21.9%).

Notable clusters included three failed inspections on Western Avenue (Taco Pros at 7108 S Western, Supermercado La Tortilla at 5915-5919 S Western, and Sharks Fish & Chicken at 1828 W 79th) and two failed inspections on North Avenue (Piece/Piece Out at 1923-1929 W North and Cafe Istanbul at 2014 W Division).

The geographic distribution of failed inspections may reflect various factors, including differences in building age, economic conditions, and access to resources for proper facility maintenance and pest control. The higher concentration of failed inspections on the South Side could indicate systemic challenges in these areas that require targeted interventions and support.

Repeat Offenders and Uncorrected Violations

A concerning pattern among the failed inspections was the number of establishments with uncorrected violations from previous inspections. Eleven establishments (34.4%) were cited for failing to correct previous violations, indicating persistent non-compliance with health code requirements.

IHOP at 4210 N Cicero Ave had "previous core violations not corrected from inspection report #2609966 dated 01/03/2025." Dunkin' at 1201 N Clark St had "continued non-compliance from inspection report #2608947 with the correct by date of 3/11/2025." Maplewood Brewing Company had a "previous priority foundation violation from report #2610947 2/23/25 not corrected."

These repeat offenders and uncorrected violations suggest a lack of commitment to addressing food safety issues and may indicate deeper systemic problems within these establishments. The failure to correct previously identified violations is particularly concerning as it demonstrates a pattern of neglect that could lead to more serious health risks over time.

The pattern of uncorrected violations suggests potential issues with enforcement mechanisms and follow-up procedures. It may indicate a need for more stringent consequences for establishments that fail to address violations within the required timeframe, as well as more robust education and support for establishments struggling to maintain compliance with health code requirements.

Public Health Implications

The violations identified in these failed inspections have significant public health implications. Rodent infestations, inadequate handwashing facilities, improper food storage, and unclean food contact surfaces all increase the risk of foodborne illness and disease transmission.

Rodent activity is particularly concerning as rodents can transmit various diseases, including salmonellosis, leptospirosis, and hantavirus. The presence of rodent droppings in food preparation and storage areas indicates a high risk of food contamination and potential disease transmission to consumers.

Inadequate handwashing facilities and practices can lead to cross-contamination and the spread of pathogens. Proper handwashing is one of the most effective ways to prevent foodborne illness, and the lack of soap, paper towels, or accessible handwashing sinks significantly increases the risk of contamination.

The prevalence of unclean food contact surfaces and improper food storage practices further increases the risk of cross-contamination and bacterial growth. These violations can lead to the contamination of food with pathogens and the growth of harmful bacteria, potentially resulting in foodborne illness outbreaks.

The concentration of violations in educational facilities is particularly concerning given the vulnerable populations they serve. Children are more susceptible to foodborne illnesses and may be at higher risk of severe complications. The presence of rodent activity and inadequate handwashing facilities in schools and daycare centers poses a significant risk to the health and safety of children in these facilities.

Recommendations for Improvement

Based on the analysis of these failed inspections, several recommendations can be made to improve food safety and sanitation practices in Chicago's food establishments:

Enhanced Pest Control Measures

Given the prevalence of rodent activity, establishments should implement comprehensive pest control programs that include regular inspections, sealing entry points, proper waste management, and professional pest control services. The Chicago Department of Public Health should consider providing additional guidance and resources for effective pest control, particularly for establishments in areas with higher rodent activity.

Improved Facility Maintenance

Many violations related to physical facility maintenance, including unclean floors and walls, stained ceiling tiles, and damaged surfaces. Establishments should develop and implement regular cleaning and maintenance schedules to address these issues. The Department of Public Health could provide templates and guidance for effective cleaning and maintenance programs.

Enhanced Handwashing Facilities and Practices

Given the importance of handwashing in preventing foodborne illness, establishments should ensure that all handwashing sinks are accessible, properly supplied with soap and paper towels, and have appropriate signage. Employee training on proper handwashing techniques should be emphasized and reinforced regularly.

Targeted Interventions for Educational Facilities

The high number of violations in educational facilities suggests a need for targeted interventions in these settings. The Department of Public Health could develop specific guidance and resources for schools and daycare centers, focusing on the unique challenges and requirements of these facilities. Regular inspections and follow-up visits could help ensure compliance and address issues promptly.

Stricter Enforcement for Repeat Offenders

The number of establishments with uncorrected violations from previous inspections suggests a need for stricter enforcement measures for repeat offenders. The Department of Public Health could implement escalating consequences for establishments that fail to address violations within the required timeframe, including higher fines, more frequent inspections, and potential suspension of operating permits for persistent non-compliance.

By implementing these recommendations, food establishments can improve their compliance with health code requirements and reduce the risk of foodborne illness and disease transmission. The Chicago Department of Public Health can play a crucial role in supporting these efforts through education, guidance, and enforcement measures.

Conclusion

The analysis of the 32 failed health inspections during week 16 in Chicago reveals significant challenges in maintaining proper food safety and sanitation standards. The prevalence of rodent activity, inadequate handwashing facilities, and physical facility maintenance issues across various types of establishments indicates systemic problems that require comprehensive solutions.

The concentration of violations in educational facilities is particularly concerning given the vulnerable populations they serve. The high number of violations at Thorp Elementary/Learn Charter, with 24 violations including significant rodent activity, highlights the need for targeted interventions in these settings.

The failure of chain restaurants with corporate standards and training programs suggests potential disconnects between corporate policies and on-the-ground implementation. These establishments may benefit from enhanced oversight and support to ensure compliance with health code requirements.

The geographic distribution of failed inspections, with a higher concentration on the South Side, may reflect broader socioeconomic factors and infrastructure challenges that require targeted support and resources.

The number of establishments with uncorrected violations from previous inspections indicates a need for stricter enforcement measures for repeat offenders to ensure compliance and protect public health.

By addressing these challenges through enhanced pest control, improved facility maintenance, proper handwashing practices, targeted interventions for educational facilities, and stricter enforcement for repeat offenders, Chicago can improve food safety and reduce the risk of foodborne illness and disease transmission.

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Data for this analysis was provided by the City of Chicago Data Portal .

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