Health Inspection Report
ST. HELEN SCHOOL in CHICAGO, IL Failed Its Health Inspection on 04/18/23
CHICAGO, IL
Published: August 21, 2025
CHICAGO, IL - Health inspectors documented violations at ST. HELEN SCHOOL during a routine inspection conducted on 04/18/2023.
Situated at 2347 W Augusta BLVD, the establishment is part of West Town's active food service sector. The West Town area undergoes regular health inspections as part of the city's comprehensive food safety monitoring program.
The inspection identified 5 distinct violations requiring correction. Health inspectors document such issues to ensure establishments take corrective action promptly.
The first violation involved food safety requirements. Inspectors documented: Plumbing Installed. Health code violations require correction to maintain safe operating conditions.
The second violation involved hand hygiene and handwashing facilities. Inspectors documented: Proper Backflow Devices - Comments: Observed Exposed Handwashing Sink in the Food Prep Area Is Slow Draining. Instructed to Repair and Maintain in Good Condition.. According to FDA guidelines, proper handwashing with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds is the single most effective way to prevent foodborne illness transmission. For more information, see FDA handwashing requirements. Cross-contamination from raw foods to ready-to-eat items often occurs through unwashed hands.
The third violation related to hand sanitation. Inspectors documented: Sewage & Waste Water Properly Disposed - Comments: Observed No Grease Trap Connected to 3 Compartment Sink Located in Dish Area. Instructed to Install Grease Traps Following All Relevant Laws, Rules, and Regulations.. According to FDA guidelines, proper handwashing with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds is the single most effective way to prevent foodborne illness transmission. For more information, see FDA handwashing requirements. Fecal-oral transmission of pathogens occurs when hands are not properly washed after restroom use.
The fourth violation involved sanitation and cleanliness. Inspectors documented: Toilet Facilities: Properly Constructed, Supplied, & Cleaned - Comments: Observed No Covered Trash Receptacles Inside Female Employee Toilet Room Located Next to the Lunchroom. Instructed to Provide.. FDA sanitation guidelines require regular cleaning and sanitizing of all food contact surfaces to prevent cross-contamination and bacterial growth. For more information, see FDA sanitation standards. Cross-contamination from improperly sanitized equipment is a common cause of foodborne illness.
The fifth violation involved sanitization. Inspectors documented: Physical Facilities Installed, Maintained & Clean - Comments: Observed Unused Ice Machine Located in Food Prep Area. Instructed to Remove From Premises.. FDA sanitation guidelines require regular cleaning and sanitizing of all food contact surfaces to prevent cross-contamination and bacterial growth. For more information, see FDA sanitation standards. Cross-contamination from improperly sanitized equipment is a common cause of foodborne illness.
Establishments receiving violations must submit correction plans and may face additional inspections. Failure to address violations can result in fines, permit suspension, or closure.
This inspection data is provided by Chicago Department of Public Health. The establishment had violations identified during the 04/18/2023 inspection. Conditions may have changed since this inspection. For current compliance status, consult the Chicago Department of Public Health. For more information about restaurant inspection regulations in this area, visit the Chicago Food Service Sanitation Rules. Learn more about food safety at FDA.gov and CDC.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was this inspection conducted?
This inspection was conducted on August 21, 2025.
Who conducted this inspection?
Chicago Department of Public Health
What violations were found during this inspection?
The following violations were documented: HOT & COLD WATER AVAILABLE; ADEQUATE PRESSURE - Comments: 5-103.11(B) OBSERVED NO CONSISTENT HOT WATER THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY. HOT WATER AT HAND WASHING SINKS IN THE GIRL'S TOILET ROOM AND IN THE KITCHEN REACHED A MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 96 F BEFORE RAPIDLY DROPPING DOWN TO 77 F. HOT WATER IN THE KITCHEN 1 COMPARTMENT SINK REACHED A MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 90 F BEFORE RAPIDLY DROPPING DOWN TO 77 F. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE ALL HOT WATER REACHES AND MAINTAINS A MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 100 F FOR HAND WASHING SINKS AND 110 F FOR ALL OTHER SINKS. TECHNICIANS ARRIVED ON SITE AND SERVICED THE HOT WATER HEATER DURING THE INSPECTION. HOT WATER RESTORED. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-030(C) CITATION ISSUED.; HOT & COLD WATER AVAILABLE; ADEQUATE PRESSURE - Comments: OBSERVED NO CONSISTENT HOT WATER THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY. HOT WATER AT HAND WASHING SINKS IN THE GIRL'S TOILET ROOM AND IN KITCHEN REACHED A MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 90 F BEFORE RAPIDLY DROPPING DOWN TO 70 F. HOT WATER IN THE KITCHEN 1 COMPARTMENT SINK REACHED A MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 94 F BEFORE RAPIDLY DROPPING DOWN TO 77 F. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE ALL HOT WATER REACHES AND MAINTAINS A MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 100 F FOR HAND WASHING SINKS AND 110 F FOR ALL OTHER SINKS. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-030(C) CITATION ISSUED.; PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: OBSERVED EXPOSED HANDWASHING SINK IN THE FOOD PREP AREA IS SLOW DRAINING. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.; SEWAGE & WASTE WATER PROPERLY DISPOSED - Comments: OBSERVED NO GREASE TRAP CONNECTED TO 3 COMPARTMENT SINK LOCATED IN DISH AREA. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL GREASE TRAPS FOLLOWING ALL RELEVANT LAWS, RULES, AND REGULATIONS.; TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED - Comments: OBSERVED NO COVERED TRASH RECEPTACLES INSIDE FEMALE EMPLOYEE TOILET ROOM LOCATED NEXT TO THE LUNCHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED UNUSED ICE MACHINE LOCATED IN FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE FROM PREMISES..
Why are these violations concerning?
Cross-contamination from raw foods to ready-to-eat items often occurs through unwashed hands. Fecal-oral transmission of pathogens occurs when hands are not properly washed after restroom use. Cross-contamination from improperly sanitized equipment is a common cause of foodborne illness. Cross-contamination from improperly sanitized equipment is a common cause of foodborne illness.