Snow
If you’re reaching out about a request regarding snow, your request will be directed towards Streets and Sanitation, Chicago Department of Transportation, or our ward office. Click on the type of request that most matches your request:
Snow on Sidewalk
It is the responsibility of property owners and occupants to keep sidewalks clear of snow and ice. Chicagoans of all ages and abilities need to use the sidewalks to get where they're going every day of the year. CPS and Metra are responsible for clearing snow on their respective properties.
Snow must be cleared to create a 5-foot-wide-path.
If snow falls between 7 AM and 7 PM, clear the snow as soon as possible, but not later than 10 PM on the day of the snowfall.
If snow falls between 7 PM and 7 AM, clear the snow as soon as possible, but before 10 AM the next day.
Please keep in mind that some neighbors may struggle to shovel their sidewalk due to mobility issues. The Greater Rockwell Organization, Heart of Lincoln Square Neighbors Association, Northcenter Neighbors, and Lincoln Square North Neighbors are working together to recruit a Volunteer Snow Brigade! These community groups are recruiting volunteers to help shovel snow for older adults and folks with mobility challenges in the area roughly from Addison to Foster and Ravenswood to the Chicago River. If you need help shoveling your sidewalk, you can contact our ward office at info@aldermanmartin.
Steps
Go to CHI311 and submit a request for “Snow - Uncleared Sidewalk or Bike Lane.”
If you are submitting a request for a sidewalk that is frequently uncleared, email us at info@aldermanmartin.com and include pictures. We will contact the property owner to remind them of their responsibilities and ask our ward superintendent to visit the property.
If you need help submitting your request through 311’s online portal, view our help article on submitting service requests.
Additional resources
Snow on Street
When it snows, the Department of Streets and Sanitation’s first priority is clearing the arterial streets. Once those are patrolled and deemed safe, plows become available to the wards for plowing and salting side streets. Depending on the time it takes to clear arterial streets, outdoor temperatures and other variables, driving conditions may not be ideal on side streets. You can use the snow plow tracker to check if your street has been plowed, or request additional salt using 311.
Some residential streets may be too narrow for snow plows to pass. These streets will be plowed using 4x4s, which may take longer to deploy.
Steps
If you need help submitting your request through 311’s online portal, view our help article on submitting service requests.
Additional resources
Have a suggestion about how to improve snow clearing services?
We always welcome suggestions on how to improve city services, so we can pass the feedback along to the Department and the Mayor’s office. Please send feedback and suggestions to info@aldermanmartin.com. It’s important to know that our city budget plays a significant role in determining the quality and timeliness of service that departments can provide. You can sign up for updates about the budget process and our townhalls here.