Chicagoans are dealing with a winter wonderland that's proving to be more than just a pretty face, as the city grapples with a record number of 311 calls over uncleared sidewalks and roads. The heavy snowfall has put a strain on the city's infrastructure, with thousands of complaints filed in just 10 days.
According to data analysis by WBEZ/Sun-Times, this year's snow season is shaping up to be one for the books, with a total of nearly 11,500 service calls filed from November 29th through December 10th. This number surpasses previous records, and experts say it's not just a matter of snowfall volume but also the frequency and consistency of the heavy precipitation.
The city's commissioner of the Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation, Cole Stallard, acknowledged that the department is stretched thin to keep up with the demand. "There's no room to be caught flat footed for snow because it's safety, it's public safety," he said. The department has staffed around 165-185 seasonal snowplow and garbage truck drivers from November through April, in addition to year-round streets and sanitation staff.
While some residents are taking matters into their own hands, helping their neighbors with shoveling and sanding sidewalks, others are not as fortunate. Matt Khunke, a resident of West Town, expressed frustration at the slow response times for street clearing. "Some of these neighbors over here are elderly and disabled so maybe even someone [from the city] could reach out to them," he said.
Stallard echoed Khunke's sentiments, encouraging residents to be neighborly and help one another in times of need. However, he emphasized that reporting issues through 311 is crucial for the city to identify areas where resources can be allocated to improve streets.
Residents are facing hazardous conditions on their sidewalks and bike paths, with uncleared snow complaints concentrated mainly on Chicago's North Side. Meanwhile, requests to remove "dibs" objects – long-standing practices used by residents to claim shoveled-out parking spots – have been logged mostly in the Northwest and Southwest sides of the city.
As the weather continues to dictate daily life in Chicago, residents are bracing themselves for more winter woes. With over 17 inches of snowfall already recorded this season, it's clear that winter is not done with the city just yet.
According to data analysis by WBEZ/Sun-Times, this year's snow season is shaping up to be one for the books, with a total of nearly 11,500 service calls filed from November 29th through December 10th. This number surpasses previous records, and experts say it's not just a matter of snowfall volume but also the frequency and consistency of the heavy precipitation.
The city's commissioner of the Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation, Cole Stallard, acknowledged that the department is stretched thin to keep up with the demand. "There's no room to be caught flat footed for snow because it's safety, it's public safety," he said. The department has staffed around 165-185 seasonal snowplow and garbage truck drivers from November through April, in addition to year-round streets and sanitation staff.
While some residents are taking matters into their own hands, helping their neighbors with shoveling and sanding sidewalks, others are not as fortunate. Matt Khunke, a resident of West Town, expressed frustration at the slow response times for street clearing. "Some of these neighbors over here are elderly and disabled so maybe even someone [from the city] could reach out to them," he said.
Stallard echoed Khunke's sentiments, encouraging residents to be neighborly and help one another in times of need. However, he emphasized that reporting issues through 311 is crucial for the city to identify areas where resources can be allocated to improve streets.
Residents are facing hazardous conditions on their sidewalks and bike paths, with uncleared snow complaints concentrated mainly on Chicago's North Side. Meanwhile, requests to remove "dibs" objects – long-standing practices used by residents to claim shoveled-out parking spots – have been logged mostly in the Northwest and Southwest sides of the city.
As the weather continues to dictate daily life in Chicago, residents are bracing themselves for more winter woes. With over 17 inches of snowfall already recorded this season, it's clear that winter is not done with the city just yet.
umm so like chicago is dealin with a lot of snow right now and its gettin crazy ... 
they got 311 calls comin in left and right about uncleared sidewalks and roads 
and experts say its not just the amount of snow that's the problem but also how often it falls 
and the city is strugglin to keep up with all these requests 
but others are stuck at home feelin frustrated 
and that's where the city comes in to help 
they need ppl to report issues through 311 so they can send resources to improve streets 
stay warm and safe out there 
️
! They're dealing with a legit snowpocalypse and it's like, no joke 
. I mean, 11,500 service calls in just 10 days? That's crazy! 
And the city is already stretched thin, you know? It's not just about the snow, it's about public safety 
. I'm all for people helping each other out, but some folks are elderly and disabled, you know? They need help from the city too 
. I'm all for encouraging people to be neighborly and all, but it's just not enough when you've got a system that's supposed to be there for emergencies 
. Winter's gonna keep on winning until the spring arrives 
.
. and i get it, the city has limited staff but still gotta do somethin to keep ppl safe 
... i feel so bad for all those elderly folks struggling to get out their doors due to uncleared sidewalks 
... and it's like, we know city officials are working hard, but 17 inches of snow in just a few weeks? that's crazy! 
what do you think is the most effective way to tackle this whole thing? should the city prioritize clearing roads first or make sure everyone has access to their homes?
anywayz, gotta feel sorry for all these chicagoans trying to navigate this winter wonderland 
It's like they're saying "sorry not sorry" while the elderly and disabled folks are struggling. And don't even get me started on those "dibs" objects, it's like people think they own the parking spots or something! 
. And can we talk about how convenient it is for people to just "dibs" up all the good parking spots? 
Like, I know it's not ideal but reporting issues through 311 does make sense... 
We gotta give the city some credit, they're trying their best with a record number of snow calls 
especially those elderly & disabled folks who can't even ask for help themselves 
and let's be real, reporting issues through 311 is super important so we gotta support them in that too 
maybe they can allocate more resources or get in touch with residents who need help? that'd be a game-changer 
. meanwhile, u got ppl takin matters into their own hands, like shovelin & sandin sidewalks 
.
.
. It's time for someone to take charge and make some real changes around here 
.
. I know some folks in Chicago are super chill about clearing their own driveways, but I get why others need help, especially elderly or disabled neighbors 
. It's not fair that they have to deal with the slow response times from the city 
. But at the same time, I think it's awesome that people are being neighborly and helping each other out 
. And let's be real, it's kinda beautiful when everyone pitches in to help during a snowstorm 
. The city needs to step up their game, like how they're asking everyone to be "neighborly" but not actually providing any support 
did u know chicagoans filed 311 calls for uncleared sidewalks & roads in just 10 days? 
stallard encouraged neighborly love, but also emphasized reporting issues through 311 to help the city allocate resources 
.