SchoolLicence 1980707

Polaris Charter Academy

620 N Sawyer Ave, Chicago 60624

Latest verdictPassOct 1, 2026 · 12 days ago

Inspections19since May 19, 2011

Fail rate16.7%3 of 18 verdictscitywide 22.4% · below average

City risk ratingHigh riskWhat this kind of business could do if it went wrong — not a grade it earned.

Read the pairs, not the count. A failure is normally followed within days by a re-inspection, and that re-inspection is a second row here. On the timeline below they sit almost on top of each other — one bad day, two marks.

The whole record

Pass67%
Conditional17%
Fail17%

19 inspections from 2011 to 2026 · hover a mark

2013201520172019202120232025

PassOct 1, 2026Canvass Re-InspectionRisk 1 (High)
1. 47
  Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
  4-501.11 observed rusted prep table shelving as well as inside equipment used to store food. Instructed to resurface and provide smooth and easily cleanable surfaces
2. 51
  Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
  5-205.15 observed handsink located in serving area with leaky plumbing fixture causing water to pool on the floor under said sink. Instructed to repair and maintain in good condition.
3. 55
  Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
  6-201.11 observed walls upon entrance to service area as well as behind prep tables and hot hold units with peeling/chipped paint. Noted crumbling bricks as well in said space. Instructed to provide smooth and easily cleanable walls and surfaces and maintain.
4. 55
  Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
  6-501.13 observed floors throughout prep area in need of cleaning throughout under all equipment alongside of not in use dish machine and storage space. Instructed to remove all dried food debris, clean and sanitize.
5. 55
  Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
  6-501.114 instructed to organize and remove all unused equipment, school furniture and miscellanues items from prep area in order to prevent pest harborage in said spaces. Must maintain premise.
6. 56
  Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
  6-303.11 observed inadequate lighting throughout prep and serving area. Instructed to replace burned out bulbs and increase lighting.
FailSep 23, 2026CanvassRisk 1 (High)
1. 2
  City of Chicago food service sanitation certificate
  Observed no city of Chicago certified food manager certificate holder on site during time of inspection while preparing and serving tcs foods (pasta, chopped watermelon, milk). Instructed to provide and maintain as required. Priority foundation violation. #7-38-012.
2. 22
  Proper cold holding temperatures
  Observed approximately 20 lbs chopped watermelon stored inside cold hold unit at improper temperature during time of inspection. Noted temperature ranging between 46f-51f. Instructed to hold all tcs foods @41f and below as required. Said food discarded by pic. Priority violation. #7-38-005. Citation issued
3. 38
  Insects, rodents, & animals not present
  Observed approximately 25 small black live flies flying throughout prep area, on exterior surfaces of heavy equipment, flying around storage cage and inside handwashing sink basin. Instructed to contact pest control for service. Must eliminate fly activity on premise. Priority foundation violation. #7-38-020 (a). Citation issued
4. 38
  Insects, rodents, & animals not present
  Observed sticky traps filled with dead insects and webs in corners and behind equipment throughout prep area. Instructed to remove and maintain.
5. 47
  Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
  Observed rusted prep table shelving as well as inside equipment used to store food. Instructed to resurface and provide smooth and easily cleanable surfaces
6. 51
  Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
  Observed handsink located in serving area with leaky plumbing fixture causing water to pool on the floor under said sink. Instructed to repair and maintain in good condition.
7. 55
  Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
  Observed walls upon entrance to service area as well as behind prep tables and hot hold units with peeling/chipped paint. Noted crumbling bricks as well in said space. Instructed to provide smooth and easily cleanable walls and surfaces and maintain.
8. 55
  Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
  Observed floors throughout prep area in need of cleaning throughout under all equipment alongside of not in use dish machine and storage space. Instructed to remove all dried food debris, clean and sanitize.
9. 55
  Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
  Instructed to organize and remove all unused equipment, school furniture and miscellanues items from prep area in order to prevent pest harborage in said spaces. Must maintain premise.
10. 56
  Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
  Observed inadequate lighting throughout prep and serving area. Instructed to replace burned out bulbs and increase lighting.
PassSep 25, 2025CanvassRisk 1 (High)
1. 49
  Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
  Must clean the interior of the reach in cooler to remove spills and debris.
2. 55
  Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
  Must detail clean and maintain the floors along the wall base and in corners in the kitchen.
3. 57
  All food employees have food handler training
  Observed the food handler on duty without his food handler certificate. Instructed to have and maintain on site or citations will follow.
PassDec 4, 2024CanvassRisk 1 (High)
1. 49
  Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
  Observed steam tables in cafeteria with dried food debris in crevices of equipment. Instructed to clean and maintain in order to prevent pest harborage.
2. 51
  Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
  Observed 3 compartent sink piping in all 3 sink basins with slight leak and water dripping. Instructed to repair and maintain in good condition.
3. 55
  Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
  Observed large hole in wall inside gated office/storage area. Instructed to enclose in order to prevent pest entry and provide smooth and easily cleanable surfaces.
No verdictNov 19, 2024Non-InspectionRisk 1 (High)
PassMay 11, 2023CanvassRisk 1 (High)
1. 55
  Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
  Observed west wall in furthest rear dry storage room to have crumbling plaster and damage. Instructed person in charge to cover or repair to be smooth and easily cleanable.
PassDec 8, 2022CanvassRisk 1 (High)
1. 51
  Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
  Observed low hot water pressure at handwash sinks in the 2nd floor boys and girls washrooms. Must repair.
2. 55
  Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
  Found dust and dirt build up underneath the tables and chairs stored in the corner in the kitchen. Instructed to reorganize the tables and chairs so that they are off the walls, clean the area, and maintain.
3. 57
  All food employees have food handler training
  Observed food handler without a food handler certificate. Instructed management that all employees who handle food and who are not a manager must complete training and keep certificate on site.
PassDec 1, 2021Canvass Re-InspectionRisk 1 (High)
FailNov 10, 2021CanvassRisk 1 (High)
1. 2
  City of Chicago food service sanitation certificate
  No person with city of Chicago certified manager certificate on site while reheating and serving tcs foods (chicken, vegetables). Priority foundation. 7-38-012. Citation issued.
2. 48
  Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
  No temperature measuring device on site for high temp dishwasher. Instructed to provide and maintain. Priority foundation. 7-38-005. Citation issued.
3. 55
  Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
  Observed hole in wall near handwashing sink and underneath ventilation hood in back kitchen area. Observed missing wall tiles in boys second floor washroom. Instructed to seal/cover openings to prevent pest activity.
ConditionalFeb 10, 2020CanvassRisk 1 (High)
1. 48
  Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
  No temperature measuring device on site for high temp dishwasher. Instructed to provide and maintain. Priority foundation violation 7-38-005
PassFeb 25, 2019CanvassRisk 1 (High)
1. 49
  Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
  Must clean the interior of the milk storage cooler on the serving line to remove spills.
ConditionalApr 20, 2018CanvassRisk 1 (High)
1. 21
  * certified food manager on site when potentially hazardous foods are prepared and served
  No valid city of Chicago food sanitation certificate posted on the premises. Management instructed that a certified food manager must be present at all times while potentially hazardous foods are being prepared and served. Serious violation 7-38-012.
2. 35
  Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
  Repair the broken wall tiles in the 2nd floor boy's washroom.
3. 36
  Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
  Must install a light shield for the light fixture in the food prep area.
PassFeb 14, 2017CanvassRisk 1 (High)
1. 36
  Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
  Observed the middle lights out in the lunch room. Must replace and maintain.
2. 38
  Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
  Noted the faucet at the 3 compartment sink with a leak. Must repair and maintain.
ConditionalJun 2, 2016CanvassRisk 1 (High)
1. 21
  * certified food manager on site when potentially hazardous foods are prepared and served
  No food certified manager on duty with a valid city of Chicago sanitation certificate, posted or available, while potentially hazardous foods are prepared and served, see temps below, at this time of inspection, instructed to enroll in a class with proof of enrollment or actual certificate must be available, and a certified manager must be on duty at all times foods are cooked, served and prepared, serious citation: 7-38-012
2. 33
  Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
  Interior of milk coolers in cafeteria not clean, instructed to clean daily,
3. 36
  Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
  Light dim in kitchen/dining area, instructed to increase light,
4. 40
  Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous
  Thermometers not conspicuous in milk cooler, instructed to store to be seen,
5. 41
  Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
  Offensive urine odors in basement boys and girls bathroom, instructed to clean and sanitize, and clutter in basement hall way area, instructed to clean and better organize,
PassApr 24, 2015CanvassRisk 1 (High)
1. 35
  Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
  Replace missing and broken wall tiles at the base of the wall beneath the urinals in the 2nd floor boy's washroom. Repair the opening in the wall base in the hallway across from the gym and between the washroom and the food prep area.
2. 38
  Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
  Repair the non-working handsink in the 2nd floor boy's washroom and 2nd floor girl's washrooms. Repair toielts out of order in the 2nd floor girl's washroom and basement boy's and girl's washroom. Repair the faucet at the 3 compartment sink.
PassJan 22, 2014Canvass Re-InspectionRisk 1 (High)
1. 35
  Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
  Noted opening into the wall around vents. Must seal all opening and hole where ever needed to prevent futher rodent entry points
FailJan 13, 2014CanvassRisk 1 (High)
1. 18
  No evidence of rodent or insect outer openings protected/rodent proofed, a written log shall be maintained available to the inspectors
  Noted in the dishwash area for the lunch room 35 mice droppings on a table where boxes are stored. Also noted 20 mice droppings on the floor and in corners in the same area scattered around. Citation 7-38-020 issued. Instructed manager to clean and santize affected areas.
2. 34
  Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
  Floors need cleaning along the wall base and in corners to remove debris and/or spills.
3. 35
  Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
  Noted opening into the wall around vents. Must seal all opening and hole where ever needed to prevent futher rodent entry points.
PassMar 6, 2013CanvassRisk 1 (High)
1. 37
  Toilet room doors self closing: dressing rooms with lockers provided: complete separation from living/sleeping quarters
  Two toilets in the girls toilet room in the basement one toilet on the 2nd floor boys toilet room not working properly. In the boys toilet room two sink have dripping faucets. Must repair or replace them and repair the toilets.
PassMay 19, 2011CanvassRisk 1 (High)
1. 35
  Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
  Previous violation corrected from sept 2009. The walls and ceilings shall be in good repair and easily cleaned. Remove peeling paint from wall of gym where observed. Second floor girls washroom; loose metal attachment around pipe of toilet in first stall; reattach. Replace loose wall covng at base of wall in basement near engineers office where observed.

Fails sit above the line, passes below. Every inspection the city has published for this licence.

On the street

Apple Maps street-level imagery. Click to look around the block.

What it gets cited for

5511×
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
355×
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
514×
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
384×
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
493×
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
363×
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
472×
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
562×
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

Counted across every inspection on record here. A code that keeps coming back is the more telling signal.

Source

Published by the Chicago Department of Public Health as Food Inspections, updated weekly. This page shows every row the city holds under licence 1980707 — a business that changed hands may carry history from its predecessor.