Every year, Chicago residents make the rough transition into winter and have to start cleaning the snow from sidewalks. However, there’s a growing advocacy for the city to step up with its snow removal responsibilities.
Historically it has been important for city officials to keep the streets clean. In 1979 Michael Bilandic lost to Jane Byrne during the mayoral primary. Many people blamed Michael Bilandic for the inadequate removal of snow. This was after a heavy blizzard that caused him to lose the election.
The alderman of the 36th Ward, Gilbert Villegas, has been working with many organizations. He says that in order to make it easier for pedestrians during the winter season, the city must start checking out different ways to clean the sidewalks.
About the Proposal
Villegas plans on proposing a pilot city sidewalk snow and ice clearance program. This makes it able for homeowners to lose the responsibility of having to clean public sidewalks. All public sidewalks that are at least five feet wide.
This pilot, Plow the Streets, would cost $750,000. The goal is to add this to the city’s 2023 budget. It would help officials decide whether now cleaning will be for most of the city sidewalks or just heavily neglected areas. There are 7,400 miles of sidewalk within Chicago. The neglected areas usually begin to happen at vacant lots or near abandoned buildings.
Villegas wants to introduce an ordinance in December. Although he says that the guidelines and details of how it will work are still uncertain. This includes the amount of snow needed before the city starts taking action. There is also the question of the liability of the city for snow-plowed sidewalk-related injuries.
In addition, there is worry about how environmentally friendly this plan will be. If the city plans on using gas-powered snow blowers or electric sidewalk plows, it could be very harmful to the environment at the rate they will be using at. So this might be the time for the city to explore greener ways as well.
Chicago Residents Helping Out
Many other cities already have sidewalk cleaning programs. Lots of officials from those cities stress that the program is there to enhance the cleaning that is already happening.
It will be expected here in Chicago as well. Each resident is still responsible for cleaning their own private property. However, they can help the city keep sidewalks in little ways. Such as helping out to clean public sidewalks when winter storms get rough. Or helping neighbors who are unable to clean their own walkways and driveways.
This service would be an amazing helping hand for senior citizens and the many residents who are disabled and unable to plow snow. There are over 330,000 senior citizens, 170,000 residents with mobility issues, and 70,000 residents with blindness all within Chicago.
Kyle Lucas, the co-founder of Better Streets Chicago, explains how in the city there is an issue with getting around in the winter for those with disabilities. Many people are more likely to fall and get injured, and those in wheelchairs can get stuck or they will have to go on the street with cars. Those who are blind or visually impaired may not be able to use their canes as well and can miss curbs.
Chicago property owners still currently can face fines up to $500 in fines if they do not clean the snow on public property around their homes. Lucas however feels as if this punitive approach has not been working well to help clean the sidewalks, and there are many reasons why people are not able to.
Since 311 is the number to go to about the sidewalk being covered in snow, It’s important that operators take calls from residents about snow not being cleaned seriously.
Snow in Chicago will remain a constant thing so it’s important that residents continue to help out but hopefully with more support from the city.
Written by Alyssa Calderon
Sources:
Chicago Sun-Times: A pilot program to clear snow from sidewalks could show how to make Chicago more walkable in winter
WTTW: Advocates Push for City of Chicago Pilot Program to Clear Sidewalks of Snow and Ice
NBC Chicago: Advocates For People With Disabilities Ask City of Chicago to Plow Sidewalks
Chicago.gov: Sidewalk Snow Removal
Top and Featured Image Courtesy of Andrew Wilkinson Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of atramos Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
