Via the Dept. of Streets & Sanitation

With the last sizeable snowfall a week and a half in the past, and daytime temperatures climbing well above freezing for the next few days, the City of Chicago says it is time for residents to clear out any items that may have been left in the street.

“We do not advocate putting anything into the street, but are initially tolerant of it because our priority during a storm is to repeatedly plow and salt our 9,500 lane miles of main streets and side streets until they are clear,” stated Thomas G. Byrne, Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Streets & Sanitation. “It has been a long time since the last big snow, and temperatures are mild, so anyone who has putanything out in the public way needs to get rid of it or we will do it for them.”

Warmer daytime temperatures will also present a good opportunity for residents to clear away any remaining snow and ice accumulations from around their cars or from the front of adjacent drain structures on residential streets. Remaining snow or ice should be placed on the grassy area of the parkway and should never be pushed back into the street. Keeping street drains clear of snow and ice will allow for melting
water to drain off and not refreeze when temperatures fall back below freezing. There are 3,365 miles of side streets in Chicago.

Download the press release (.pdf).