A Chicago hospital cafeteria has been temporarily shut down after health inspectors discovered more than 200 live cockroaches throughout its kitchen, along with black slime dripping onto ice intended for human consumption, according to CBS Chicago.
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THE WORD:
Hospital: Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center in Chicago’s Lake View neighborhood.
Inspection date: October 16, 2026.
Roach infestation: Inspectors reportedly found more than 200 live cockroaches in the hospital’s cafeteria and patient kitchen.
Additional violations: Inspectors reported black slime dripping from an ice machine onto ice intended for human consumption, along with grease buildup and other sanitation concerns.
Immediate action: The cafeteria and patient kitchen were temporarily shut down, and the facility’s license was suspended.
Patient meals: The hospital arranged alternative food service while addressing the violations.
According to Chicago Department of Public Health inspection records, the violations were discovered October 16 at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center in the city’s Lake View neighborhood. The inspection resulted in the cafeteria and patient kitchen failing their health inspection, with officials ordering corrective action to address the infestation and sanitation problems.
The cockroaches were reportedly found in several areas of the facility, including the main food preparation and grill areas, near deep fryers, in dry storage, the valve room or closet, and the main dish room. The widespread infestation raised concerns about the cleanliness of areas where food was being prepared and handled.
Inspectors also documented a buildup of black slime inside an ice machine, with the substance dripping onto ice cubes intended for human consumption. Additional violations included grease buildup on cooking equipment, walls, floors and shelving, food debris on a can opener, a leaking sink, a damaged cooler-door gasket and milk crates being used as shelves.
The latest inspection also raised concerns about problems identified during an earlier inspection on April 15 that had not been corrected. Those findings included dead cockroaches beneath storage racks and near a sink, along with grease, dirt and food debris on floors.
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Following the inspection, the Chicago Department of Public Health suspended the cafeteria’s license, and the cafeteria and patient kitchen were temporarily closed. Inspectors ordered the facility to clean and sanitize surfaces and equipment and use pest control services to eliminate the infestation. The cafeteria can request another inspection once the violations have been corrected.
Hospital officials acknowledged the findings and said they were taking steps to meet food safety requirements before resuming kitchen operations.
“ We recognize the importance of maintaining the highest standards for food safety and are taking the necessary steps to address the findings and meet all requirements to safely resume kitchen operations,” hospital officials said in a statement.
Officials also said patients continue to receive meals without interruption through alternative food preparation and meal service arrangements while the cafeteria and patient kitchen remain closed. As of the latest reports, a reopening timeline had not been announced.
The findings have raised questions about sanitation and food safety inside a healthcare facility, where patients may be especially vulnerable to foodborne illness and other health risks.
