Inspiration Corporation
Last inspected: Aug 13, 2025
95
Score
Public records show 17 inspections at Inspiration Corporation stretching back to 2011. The most recent report on file is from Aug 13, 2025. A low risk tier reflects an inspection that turned up minimal issues.
Things have been moving in the right direction, with the rolling count dropping from around six violations to closer to two violations per visit.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable”, showing up six times.
Inspiration Corporation's latest score of 95 sits above the Chicago average of 81. Overall, the inspection record reads well.
17
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Aug 13, 2025
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE CITY CERTIFIED MANAGER ONSITE WITHOUT HIS ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO COMPLY OR CITATIONS WILL FOLLOW.
58
95
Nov 19, 2024
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EXCESSIVE ICE BUILD UP INSIDE WALK IN COOLER ON PRODUCT, SHELVING UNITS AND FLOOR. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR INTERIOR COMPONETS AND ELIMINATE.
47
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED TRASH AND OTHER MISCELLENAEUS ITEMS AND DRIED FOOD DEBRIS FROM THE FOLLOWING AREAS... ON FLOOR UNDER SHELVING UNITS IN DRY STORAGE ROOM, HOT WATER TANK ROOM, AND FLOOR DRAIN WHERE ICE MACHINE IS LOCATED. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE, CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE SPLASH GUARD IN BETWEEN 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AND HANDSINK IN PREP AREA TO PREVENT POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION TO ITEMS STORED ON DRYING RACK.
47
86
Mar 10, 2023
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BUILD UP IN ALL DRAINS IN REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CLUTTER AND DEBRIS ON FLOOR IN UTILITY ROOM (HOT WATER HEATER/WASHING MACHINE) BY REAR EXTERIOR EXIT. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BUILD UP OF DUST ON FILTERS IN HOOD VENTILATION SYSTEM OVER FRYERS AND STOVE IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
56
86
May 20, 2022
Reinspection
7 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SMALL OPENING DOWN THE LEFT SIDE OF DOOR LEADING TO LAKE STREET IN THE REAR KITCHEN AREA AS WELL AS THE MAIL SLOT OPEN. INSTRUCTED MUST BE MADE TIGHT FITTING AS A MEANS OF PREVENTING POSSIBLE PEST AND INSECT HARBORING.
38
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE FLOOR DRAINS IN THE FOOD PREP AREA WITH FOOD DEBRIS AND DIRT BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEANA AND MAINTAIN AS A MEANS OF PREVENTING POSSIBLE PEST AND INSECT HARBORING.
47
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A BUILD UP OF GREASE AND DEBRIS AT THE INSIDE OPENING OF THE DEEP FRYER UNITS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED WALK IN COOLERS WITH A BUILD UP OF DIRT AND FOOD DEBRIS ON FLOORS UNDER SHELVING. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN BOTH.
49
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED COOKING EQUIPMENT AND NON COOKING EQUIPMENT WITH A BUILD UP OF DIRT, DUST AND GREASE ON THE SIDES AND UNDER EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL COOKING AND NON COOKING EQUIPMENT.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A BUILD UP OF DUST AND DIRT ON THE FLOORS UNDER SHELVING/TABLES/ALONG THE WALLS THROUGHOUT THE REAR FOOD PREP AREAS, DISH WASHING, STORAGE AND PREP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL AREAS.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A BUILD UP OF DUST UNDER THE HOOD VENTILATION UNIT IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
56
70
May 13, 2022
Routine
1 critical violation. 8 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED HAND WASHING SINKS NOT REACHING PROPER TEMPERATURES ONE REACHING ONLY 76.8 LOCATED IN THE FOOD PREP AREA NEAR THE LAKE STREET SIDE WINDOW. THE OTHER REACHING 90.4 JUST OUTSIDE THE WALK IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN BY THE RETURN INSPECTION DATE GIVEN. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-030 (C) CITATION ISSUED.
10
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SMALL OPENING DOWN THE LEFT SIDE OF DOOR LEADING TO LAKE STREET IN THE REAR KITCHEN AREA AS WELL AS THE MAIL SLOT OPEN. INSTRUCTED MUST BE MADE TIGHT FITTING AS A MEANS OF PREVENTING POSSIBLE PEST AND INSECT HARBORING.
38
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A BUILD UP OF GREASE AND DEBRIS AT THE INSIDE OPENING OF THE DEEP FRYER UNITS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
47
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE FLOOR DRAINS IN THE FOOD PREP AREA WITH FOOD DEBRIS AND DIRT BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEANA AND MAINTAIN AS A MEANS OF PREVENTING POSSIBLE PEST AND INSECT HARBORING.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED WALK IN COOLERS WITH A BUILD UP OF DIRT AND FOOD DEBRIS ON FLOORS UNDER SHELVING. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN BOTH.
49
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED COOKING EQUIPMENT AND NON COOKING EQUIPMENT WITH A BUILD UP OF DIRT, DUST AND GREASE ON THE SIDES AND UNDER EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL COOKING AND NON COOKING EQUIPMENT.
49
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE HAND WASHING SINK ACROSS FROM THE WALK IN COOLER WITH A LEAL AT THE DRAIN PIPE AND THE HAND WASHING SINK NEAR THE LAKE STREET WINDOW WITH A LEAK AT THE DRAIN PIPE. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD WORKING ORDER.
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A BUILD UP OF DUST AND DIRT ON THE FLOORS UNDER SHELVING/TABLES/ALONG THE WALLS THROUGHOUT THE REAR FOOD PREP AREAS, DISH WASHING, STORAGE AND PREP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL AREAS.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A BUILD UP OF DUST UNDER THE HOOD VENTILATION UNIT IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
56
58
Jan 16, 2020
Routine
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: NO TEMPERATURE MEASURING DEVICE FOR HIGH TEMP DISHWASHER ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005
48
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE HAND WASHING SINK IN THE SERVING LINE AREA DRAINING SLOWLY. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN
51
86
Jan 3, 2019
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN AND SANIZIE THE INTERIOR OF THE ICE MACHINE. ALSO CLEAN THE FAN COVER IN THE WALK IN PRODUCE COOLER TO REMOVE DUST.
49
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: NOTED A LEAKY PIPE UNDERNEATH THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
51
90
May 30, 2017
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN THE FLOORS AROUND THE FRONT COOKING EQUIPMENT TO REMOVE SPILLS.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: NOTED THE FILTERS ABOVE THE FRONT COOKING STATION IS DIRTY. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
35
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: LIGHT IN THE PRODUCE/DESSERT WALK IN COOLER ARE VERY DIM. MUST PROVIDE BETTER LIGHTING.
36
86
Jun 3, 2016
Reinspection
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
* inspection report summary displayed and visible to all customers
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO PREVIOUS INSPECTION SUMMARY REPORT POSTED FROM 05-26-2016 POSTED OR DISPLAYED AT THIS TIME OF INSPECTION. PREMISES HAD 11/18/15 SUMMARY REPORT DISPLAYED. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-42-010. PROVIDED TODAY'S SUMMARY REPORT TO DISPLAY VISIBLE TO CUSTOMERS.
28
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: MUST REMOVE PEELING FINISH/PAINT FROM THE VENTILATION COVERS ABOVE THE WALK-IN COOLERS IN KITCHEN AREA, MUST REFINISH VENT COVERS.
32
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: NO VISIBLE BACKFLOW PREVENTER AT WATER SUPPLY TO COFFEE MAKING EQUIPMENT,MUST INSTALL
38
86
May 26, 2016
Routine
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Wash and rinse water: clean and proper temperature
Inspector notes: INADEQUATE WASH WATER TEMPERATURE AT 3 COMPARTMENT SINK MAXIMUM WATER TEMPERATURE WAS AT 89.3F,INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR,CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-030
7
Previous minor violation(s) corrected 7-42-090
Inspector notes: PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED FROM INSECTION REPORT#1588540 DATE 11-18-2015(32)OBSERVED LOOSE WORN RUBBER GASKETS AT THE TWO PREP COOLER IN THE FRONT PREP AREA,MUST REPLACE GASKETS(35)MUST CLEAN THE FOLLOWING,THE VENT ABOVE THE CONVECTION OVEN IN THE REAR OF THE KITCHEN TO REMOVE DUST AND THE VENT ABOVE THE DISHWASHING MACHINE TO REMOVE DUST,OBSERVED SOME DUST ON THE CEILING VENTS OUTSIDE OF THE WALK-IN COOLER USED FOR CATERING CLEAN FAN COVERS(36),INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT VIOLATIONS SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-42-090
29
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN THE UPPER, INTERIOR PANELS OF THE ICE MACHINE,INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN EQUIPMENT
33
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: MUST REPLACE BURNED OUT BULBS INSIDE THE VENTILATION HOOD ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT IN REAR KITCHEN AREA
36
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: NO VISIBLE BACKFLOW PREVENTER AT WATER SUPPLY TO COFFEE MAKING EQUIPMENT,MUST INSTALL
38
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: MUST REMOVE CLUTTER FROM REAR STORAGE AREA,TO PREVENT RODENT HARBORAGE
41
74
Nov 18, 2015
Complaint
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED LOOSE WORN RUBBER GASKETS AT THE TWO DOOR PREP COOLER IN THE FRONT PREP AREA; MUST REPLACE GASKETS.
32
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN THE FOLLOWING: THE VENTS IN THE CENTER OF THE KITCHEN ABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENT TO REMOVE DUST, THE VENT ABOVE THE CONVECTION OVEN IN THE REAR OF THE KITCHEN TO REMOVE DUST AND THE VENT ABOVE THE DISHMACHINE TO REMOVE DUST. OBSERVED SOME DUST ON THE CEILING VENTS OUTSIDE OF THE WALK-IN UNITS; CLEAN CEILING VENTS. ALSO OBSERVED SOME DUST ON THE FAN COVERS INSIDE OF THE WALK-IN COOLER USED FOR CATERING; CLEAN FAN COVERS.
35
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ONE BULB OUT IN THE FRONT PREP AREA IN THE HOODED SYSTEM ABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENT; REPLACE BULB.
36
86
Jan 27, 2015
Complaint
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: DETAIL CLEAN THE GREASE ON THE LEGS AND WHEELS OF THE COOKING EQUIPMENT AT THE COOK'S LINE.
33
95
Jan 9, 2014
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: NOTED THE RUBBER GASKET AROUND THE REACH IN PREP COOLER IN POOR REPAIR AT THE FRONT PREP AREA. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: NOTED ICE BUILD UP BETWEEN THE DOORS OF THE REACH IN PREP FREEZER IN THE FRONT PREP AREA. MUST REMOVE.
33
90
Apr 2, 2013
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Apr 1, 2013
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food protected during storage, preparation, display, service and transportation
Inspector notes: THE LARGE ICE MACHINE HAS RUST BUILDUP INSIDE ALONE ALL THE METAL.SERIOUS CITATION GIVEN 7-38-005(A). TAGGED UNIT DO NOT USE. WHEN THE ICE MACHINE IS RUST FREE, CLEAN AND SANITIZED FAX A LETTER TO THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH FAX# 312 746-4240. AN INSPECTOR WILL COME BACK TO INSPECT IT.
16
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: CLEAN THE VENTS ABOVE THE OVEN AND ABOVE THE DISH MACHINE THICK WITH DUST BUILDUP.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: CLEAN THE FLOOR DRAINS THROUGHOUT PREMISES WHERE NEEDED.
34
86
Oct 5, 2011
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: The floors shall be constructed per code, be smooth and easily cleaned, and be kept clean and in good repair. CLEAN FLOOR DRAINS UNDER KITCHEN EQUIPMENT WHERE NEEDED.
34
95
Feb 16, 2011
Consultation
No violations found.
100
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Inspiration Corporation last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Inspiration Corporation on file is from Aug 13, 2025. The public record contains 17 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Inspiration Corporation?
Across the inspection record, “food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable” has been cited six times, more than any other issue at Inspiration Corporation.
Has Inspiration Corporation's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Inspiration Corporation have averaged around two violations per visit, down from roughly six earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Inspiration Corporation means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.
How often is Inspiration Corporation inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Inspiration Corporation is inspected roughly once per year on average.
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