Dear Neighbors,
A Winter Storm warning is in effect for the Chicago area today through Tuesday, February 16th at noon and we're expecting 6-12 inches of snow. There is blowing snow with dangerously low temperatures and wind chill up to -16 degrees.
Please call 911 in case of emergency, and call 311 to request city services.
Please be very careful driving and don't drive if you can avoid it. Conditions on Lake Shore Drive can be treacherous. OEMC recommends having a full tank of gas, and an emergency kit in your car with a blanket, flashlight, snacks and water.
Barrier openings on Lake Shore Drive at Schiller have been opened, and the City has staged response equipment at various spots along the Drive.
Please check to see if your neighbors, particularly the elderly and vulnerable, are okay, and offer assistance.
Keeping streets and walkways clear
- The Department of Streets and Sanitation has more than 300 trucks out plowing and salting arterial streets. Click here to view the Plow Tracker to see where plows currently are, and where they have been. Crews will be focusing first on main arterials, like Lake Shore Drive, North Avenue, Lincoln, Halsted, Racine, Fullerton, Armitage, Lincoln Park West and the like, and will then move onto residential side streets after the main streets are clear. Thank you for your patience.
- Property owners are responsible for keeping the sidewalk in front of their property free and clear of snow and ice. We encourage neighbors to work together to keep our community safe and accessible. If you are able, please help your neighbors to clear their sidewalks and cars of snow.
- If you are shoveling or blowing snow, please keep the snow on the parkways and not the street. If you can, please clear corners.
Staying warm and safe
- If you do not need to go out, please stay inside. Windchill temperatures will be low enough that even a few minutes of skin exposure to the weather could put you at risk for frostbite.
-
According to the Chicago Heat Ordinance, from September 15 through June 1, the temperature inside a rental residence is required to be at least 68 degrees from 8:30am - 10:30pm and at least 66 degrees from 10:30pm - 8:30am. Please notify our office and call 311 if your residence is in violation of this ordinance.
-
Click here for information on DFSS Warming Centers, and call 311 to receive up to date information on additional warming center availability. The nearest Warming Center to the 43rd Ward is the North Area Community Service Center at 845 W. Wilson Avenue.
-
Please check in on your elderly neighbors during this time. If you know of a senior in the community who might need additional resources and support during the inclement weather, please email [email protected]
Please call my office at 773-348-9500 or email with complaints about about an unshoveled sidewalk after 24 hours of a snowfall or if you are unable to shovel. Together, we can make the neighborhood safe for everyone.