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Chicago winters can be especially challenging when sidewalks are not cleared of snow and ice. Clearing sidewalks is the law, and it is our responsibility to each other during the winter.

Many people rely on walking and transit as their primary way to get around. Without a wide, clear path through snow and ice, it is especially difficult for people with disabilities, seniors, and children to walk. We all are pedestrians at some point in the day and all benefit from a clear sidewalk.

Make your neighborhood safe for everyone to get around this winter. Help the City of Chicago provide a great pedestrian environment and take responsibility for your sidewalk by clearing snow and ice.
 

Sidewalk Snow Removal
Guidance for Residents & Businesses
 

Who is responsible for clearing the sidewalks of snow and ice?

According to the City of Chicago Municipal Code, “Every owner, lessee, tenant, occupant or other person having charge of any building or lot of ground abutting upon any public way or public space shall remove the snow and ice from the sidewalk.”
It is everyone’s responsibility to make sure the sidewalks are clear of snow and ice. If you do not own your residential or business property, consult your rental agreement, lease agreement, or management company to determine your shoveling obligation.
 

When do I have to clear the sidewalks?

Sidewalks must be shoveled 7 days a week.
If the snow falls between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.:
Clear the snow as soon as practicable, but no later than 10:00 p.m. on the day of the snowfall.
If the snow falls overnight between 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.:
Clear the snow before 10:00 a.m. on the next day.
 

How can I report locations that do not clear their sidewalks?

Make a “Snow - Uncleared Sidewalk” request to the City of Chicago 311 Service Request line.
Dial 311 or request online at www.cityofchicago.org/311
People who live outside the City of Chicago may call (312) 744-5000.
When making a “Snow - Uncleared Sidewalk” request:
  • Make sure the problem occurs on the sidewalk. DO NOT use this category to report snow on streets, parking lots, or alleys.
  • Provide a specifi­c address where the issue occurs.

How wide of a path do I need to clear to comply with the law?

The City of Chicago Municipal Code requires individuals to clear a 5-foot wide path along the sidewalk, including sidewalk ramps.
This width provides mobility and access to pedestrians in wheelchairs, people with children in strollers, students walking to school, and individuals with assistive devices.
 


This path does not meet the width required in the Municipal Code.
 

What is the best way to remove snow from the sidewalk?

Remove snow along ALL of the sidewalks adjacent to your property including any ramps to the crosswalk.
Move snow to your yard or the parkway adjacent to your property.
DO NOT push snow into the street, bike lanes, crosswalks, bus stops, train stations, alley entrances, or bike share stations.
 
Do not push snow from driveways or sidewalks into the street or over crosswalks.

When cleaning driveways or walkways do not block the sidewalks with snow.

 

What happens if I don’t clear my sidewalks?

  • Individuals who do not comply can face fines of up to $500 per day of violation.
  • Businesses that do not comply can face fines of up to $1,000 per day of violation.
WINTER WEATHER RESOURCES

SNOW CORPS: Chicago Snow Corps is a City referral program that connects volunteers with residents – such as seniors and residents with disabilities - in need of snow removal. 

SNOW PLOW TRACKER: Track the locations and progress of the City's snow plows.

WARMING CENTERS: List of warming centers for those in need of a warm place to stay.
 
SENIOR WELL-BEING CHECKS: Request a Senior Well-Being Check by calling 311.
 
KEEP SIDEWALKS CLEAR: According to the Municipal Code of Chicago (4-4-310 & 10-8-180), property owners and occupants are responsible for keeping sidewalks clear of snow and ice.
 
We wish you a safe and warm winter!
FILING OPEN FOR BOARD OF REVIEW PROPERTY VALUATION APPEALS

The Cook County Board of Review is currently accepting property valuation appeals for WEST CHICAGO Township and JEFFERSON Township. WEST CHICAGO Township will remain open until January 19, 2016. JEFFERSON Township will remain open until February 2, 2016.

After a taxpayer files a complaint, the Board of Review will analyze comparable properties to determine if the property is assessed at too high a value. Taxpayers may also present an appraisal, comparable properties, or any other evidence showing the fair market value of their property. There is no fee to appeal to the Board of Review.

Visit www.CookCountyBoardOfReview.com for more information or to file online.
Shared Cost Sidewalk Program
Opens Tuesday, January 12, 2016

The Chicago Department of Transportation will open the 2016 Shared Cost Sidewalk Program on Tuesday, January 12, 2016. Applications will only be accepted through the City’s 311 System by calling 311 or through the City’s service request website, http://www.cityofchicago.org/311.

The Shared Cost Sidewalk Program is an extremely popular voluntary program in which property owners share the cost of sidewalk repair with the City. Thousands of Chicagoans have been a part of this popular program, taking advantage of the low cost, exceptional value, and ease of participation. The Shared Cost Sidewalk Program cost per square foot charged to property owners is well below what a private contractor would charge. Senior citizens and persons with disabilities may qualify for a further discounted rate.

Applications will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis. The number of participants is based on availability of funds. The program typically reaches capacity within 24 hours, so you are encouraged to apply early. Last year, over 1,900 requests were received within the first 12 hours. Please note that if you applied for the program in previous years, you must apply again in 2016 if you wish to be considered for the 2016 program.

Click on the links below for more information on the program:​
Program Overview
Frequently Asked Questions
29th Ward Community Meeting
 
Wednesday, January 20
Sayre Park Monthly Community Meeting
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Rutherford Sayre Park
6871 W. Belden Ave.
Disney On Ice Presents 100 Years of Magic
Discount Coupon
Download Voucher
City Asks Residents To Go Bagless When Recycling

Beginning January 1, 2016, all recyclables must be placed in the blue cart loose without a bag. Recyclables contained in bags of any kind will no longer be accepted. This will not only help our environment, but also reduce unnecessary costs incurred by the City as a result of contaminated blue carts.

Plastic bags hinder the recycling process by:
  • Not allowing haulers to see if other non-recyclable materials are in the blue cart
  • Contaminating the stream of otherwise good recycling material
  • Damaging the equipment at sorting facilities.
Currently, five materials can be recycled in Chicago blue carts. They include:
  • Plastic containers (plastic bottles and containers with 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 7)
  • Glass (jars and bottles)
  • Metal (aluminum, tin, or steel cans, foil and pie tins)
  • Cartons (milk cartons, juice cartons and aseptic containers)
  • Paper (flattens cardboard, office paper, file folders, magazines, catalogs, newspapers, junk mail, telephone books, etc.)
Yard waste cannot be recycled in the blue cart. Residents can call 3-1-1 through November 27 to schedule a separate yard waste collection. Residents can also recycle household chemicals and computers by taking those items to the Household Chemicals & Computers Recycling Facility at 1150 N. North Branch Street.
 
For more information on recycling in Chicago, visit www.chicagorecycles.org.
MORE INFORMATION

Affordable Care Act Open Enrollment Through January 31, 2016
 
The third Open Enrollment period for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) began on November 1, 2015, and ends on January 31, 2016.
 
Qualified health plans include 10 essential health benefits, including many preventive services offered at no charge. These benefits include:
  • Outpatient care (the kind you get without being admitted to a hospital)
  • Trips to the emergency room
  • Treatment in the hospital for inpatient care
  • Care before and after your baby is born
  • Mental health and substance use disorder services
  • Your prescription drugs
  • Services and devices to help you recover if you are injured, or have a disability or chronic condition such as physical and occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, psychiatric rehabilitation, and more.
  • Your lab tests
  • Preventive services including counseling, screenings, and vaccines to keep you healthy and care for managing a chronic disease
  • Pediatric services: This includes dental care and vision care for kids
 Enroll now, relax, and enjoy the benefits of health coverage in 2016!
 


Chicago Park District Free Fitness Week
Work out for free January 2-10, 2016 during Free Fitness Week!
 
Admission is free at Chicago Park District fitness centers, select fitness classes and lap swim sessions during this annual promotion.

With 73 fitness centers, hundreds of fitness classes and more than 20 parks that offer lap swim times, there are a variety of ways at locations throughout the city to get your new year off to a healthy start. 

Registration is required. All activities are first-come, first-serve based on availability. Some exclusions apply. Lap swim session hours and times vary by park.
 
CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS THROUGH JANUARY 31, 2016
 


    CLICK HERE TO APPLY    
 

Chicago Police Department Recruitment Events

Police Academy Open House
Saturday, January 9
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
1300 W. Jackson Blvd.
 
Malcolm X College Recruitment Event
Saturday, January 23
10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
1900 W. Van Buren St.
 


CAPS Meetings

Thursday, January 7
Beat 1512
6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
PCC Wellness Center
5425 W. Lake St.

Beat 1631
7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Hiawatha Park
8029 W. Forest Preserve Dr.

Beat 2511
6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Bethesda Home and Retirement Center
2833 N. Nordica Ave.

Tuesday, January 12
Beat 1511
6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Hope Community Church
5900 W. Iowa St.

Thursday, January 14
Beat 1513
6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
George R. Clark School
1045 S. Monitor Ave.

Tuesday, January 19
Beat 2531
6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Chicago Police Department, 25th District
Community Room
5555 W. Grand Ave.

Tuesday, January 26
Beat 2513
6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Amundsen Park
6200 W. Bloomingdale Ave.

January 2016 Business Workshop Calendar

Friday, January 8
5 Steps Guaranteed to Land You MORE New Business in 2016
9:30 to 11:00 a.m.
Presented by Eleanor Anne Sweet, Adjunct Professor of Loyola University Chicago - Quinlan School of Business
5 steps will be highlighted to turbo charge your business in 2016 and DOUBLE your business leads!  Learn habits you need to break to beat your competitors.  

Wednesday, January 13
Accounting in the Cloud: QuickBooks Online
3:00 to 4:30 p.m.
Presented by Maribel Del Real, CPA, MSA Del Real Tax Group, Inc., Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor
Learn how to keep your financial recordkeeping books in the cloud using QuickBooks Online. We will identify advantages of QuickBooks Online vs. QuickBooks Desktop and list the important online features and benefits. Attendees will learn how to navigate the user interface as well as the sales and expense processes.

Friday, January 15
The Values and Benefits of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and Sales Automation   
9:30 to 11:00 a.m.
Presented by Adam Tuttle, Active Campaign
CRM can increase productivity, improve time management, and manage large volume of leads. The benefits dramatically increase when paired with a sales automation tool. This workshop will discuss the things small businesses should look for when choosing a CRM and also what sales automation is doing to change the game with existing technologies. 

Wednesday, January 20
How to Obtain a Sidewalk Cafe Permit
9:30  to 11:00 a.m.
Presented by BACP, Small Business Center - Public Way Use (PWU) Unit, Anthony Bertuca
Take the mystery out of the Sidewalk Cafe Permit Application process by attending this informative workshop.  We will explain the application process, inform you of all the requirements, and help you get prepared to submit an application. The entire application process may take 30 - 45 days, and the 2016 Sidewalk Cafe Season begins on March 1st, so make sure to reserve your seat now.

Wednesday, January 20
How to Manifest All Your New Year's Resolution 2016
3:00 to 4:30 p.m. 
Presented by Tim Smithe,Creative Director/CMO of Walter E Smithe
If you are like many Chicagoans, you will not fulfill the important resolution you made just before the clock struck midnight on New Year's Eve. Yet still, one well-executed New Year's resolution can change Your Life. Relationships. Career. Health. Wealth. Two-time Emmy® Award winner Tim Smithe will help you bring back to life, and then materialize your resolution, with his proprietary Resolution-Realization System. This is a step-by-step process that he has demonstrated to audiences around the world over and is now ready to share it with his hometown. 

Friday, January 22
How to Open a Concession at O'Hare or Midway Airport
9:30 to 11:00 a.m.
Presented by Chicago Department of Aviation - Concessions Department 
Are you interested in operating a restaurant or shop at O'Hare or Midway International Airports, but don't know where to begin? Come and learn about the Request for Proposals (RFP) process, how to operate a business at the airports, and a summary of the Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) program.

Wednesday, January 27
Trademarks, Patents, Trade Secrets, and Copyrights: How To Recognize Your Company's Assets
3:00 to 4:30 p.m. 
Presented by Patrick J. Smith, Partner, registered patent attorney at Greer, Burns & Crain, Ltd.   
Learn the difference between a copyright and a trademark as well as a patent and a trade secret.  Learn how to differentiate between the various types of intellectual property and learn the steps you can take to protect your company's IP assets.

Friday, January 29
How to Write a Business Plan - What you Need to Know! 
9:30 to 11:00 a.m.
Presented by Donna R. Rockin, Executive Director, Jules F. Knapp Entrepreneurship Center at IIT 
Learn how to create a comprehensive business plan.  It's easier than you think when you understand all the components that get included.  You'll receive a complete list of what to include to demystify the process. Writing a solid business plan is your roadmap to business success.
Click here to view full monthly calendar. All workshops are free and are located at the City of Chicago Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection - City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St., Chicago, Room 805.

To register for a workshop, email BACPoutreach@cityofchicago.org or call (312) 744-2086.
Circuit Court of Cook County Elder Justice Center
Free Senior Enrichment Seminar Series
 
Avoid Suffering In Silence: Understanding and Preventing Elder Abuse, Neglect and Financial Exploitation
Monday, January 11 from 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Richard J. Daley Center
50 W. Washington St., Courtroom 2005
Topics Include:
  • How to screen for, respond to and report abuse, neglect and financial exploitation
  • Mandatory reporting procedures
  • Role of adult protective services agencies
  • Identifying common frauds and scams that involve telemarketing, home repair, debt settlement, mortgage rescue, social security benefits and more
Financial Literacy: Managing and Protecting Your Assets
Thursday, January 21 from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Richard J. Daley Center
50 W. Washington St., CL-115, Concourse Level
Topics Include:
  • Budgeting your income
  • Managing your credit and debt
  • Building and protecting your assets
TO REGISTER, CONTACT:
The Circuit Court of Cook County Elder Justice Center
Rutherford Sayre Park
Follow Rutherford Sayre Park on Facebook

Click here to view for a full list of winter programs at Rutherford Sayre Park
Amundsen Park
North Austin Library
Metra Poster and Essay Contest
MORE INFORMATION
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29th Ward Service Office
6272 W. North Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60639
Phone: (773) 237-6460
Fax: (773) 237-6418
Email: ward29@cityofchicago.org
Website: www.AldTaliaferro.com
Office Hours
Monday: 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday - Friday: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Ward Night
Monday: 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.