changes to shared cost sidewalk program for 2019

This year the shared cost sidewalk program opens for applications at 12:00 am on Tuesday, January 8, 2019.

If you want to apply to get a section of your sidewalk replaced, call 311 or create a Sidewalk Inspection request using the new CHI311 web site or app (available from Google Play or Apple's App store). The new site allows you to set up an account, which allows for easier tracking of requests after you've submitted them.

perpetual light

Update: I happened to notice a truck working on some lights on yet another block where all lights were on in daytime. Hopefully the ones I reported got fixed as well.

In my travels around the ward, I've noticed a significant increase in recent months in the number of locations where street lights are on all the time. Unfortunately, I'm also noticing that 311 requests to address this problem are often taking a very long time to get responses.

Lights have been on around Prospect Sq. and 91st St. near the Metra station for weeks now, with no response to a 311 report made a while ago. How much money is the city wasting on electricity for hundreds (or perhaps thousands) of streets that are on 24/7 for weeks or months on end?

Here's a link to report Street Lights On Days. It only takes a minute to do this online, and if you have 2 locations around the corner from each other, you can enter that in the description.

Lake 95th St. has returned

Every few months without fail, a drain grate by the 95th St. Metra station gets clogged with mud and debris and Lake 95th St. returns, making it challenging for passengers going to and from the station and making the storefront at 1800 a less desirable space to do business.

The drain got clogged several weeks ago, undoubtedly due in part to debris from all the uncovered gas line excavations uphill from this spot. I've made a couple of 311 requests, without success, as you can see from today's photo.

It looks a little smaller now than it did during last night's downpour, because so much water has been splashed in all directions by morning rush hour traffic. Last night when I got off the train, the water was nearly up to the door of the storefront at right, and touching the median at left.

I've seen this situation many times in the last several years, and 311 requests never get this particular problem solved. What's the problem? Why should it take emails and phone calls to the alderman to get it cleared?  95th St. does not seem to be a priority for our ward or for the 311 system.

shared cost sidewalk program

What is the Shared Cost Sidewalk Program? It's a city program in which residents share the cost of repairing city sidewalks in front of their home.  It offers a great value to property owners.   All property owners pay the same square-foot cost for new sidewalk--$3 per square foot--well below what a private contractor would charge.  Senior citizens and those with disabilities will receive a 50% discount.

The 2013 program opens to new applicants Tuesday, January 1, 2013, on a first-come, first served basis.  The program is usually maxed out fast. If you want to apply, do it on January 1st, or as soon as possible after 1/1. 

Applications are accepted only through the City's 311 system.  Call 311 or CLICK HERE to apply online.  You must give the building owner-occupant's complete name, contact phone number, and the building's complete address.

If you applied for the program in previous years, you must apply again in 2013.  For FAQs, CLICK HERE.

better late than never - be a good neighbor

Over the weekend, I noticed some folks who hadn't previously cleared their sidewalk out with shovels. There are still too many sidewalks that haven't been touched.

If you haven't yet cleared yours, please do so, or get someone to help you if you're not physically able to do it. Snow removal from public sidewalks is required by law. While enforcement has been spotty, it's been almost 2 weeks since the storm and we've had more than enough time to deal with the snow.

I intend to make a few 311 calls. There are a few houses that are on frequently traveled paths to and from train stations, bus stops, parks and schools where the owners are physically or financially capable and have been around, but have chosen to clear only their driveways and perhaps a path from their front door to the curb, neglecting the sidewalks that so many of us need to walk safely out of traffic.

Making a path through the wall of snow at the curb would be helpful, too, if there isn't one now. Those walls will take the longest to melt and trap water that could otherwise run out to the street and find a drain, making it easier for pedestrians to get where they're going.

Want to leave a reminder for a homeowner or business? You can find a handy flyer here.

311 holiday wishes

A while back, I wrote about a miracle on 98th St. and hoped for a few other things to be fixed before winter set in. In the last few weeks, I've seen those wishes granted.

The streetlight closest to that spot on 98th St. was burned out for months, and I'd called 311 a few times. It's finally fixed.

There was a small gas leak near 96th & Damen for several weeks. Peoples Gas made several visits there, excavating in a few different places before getting it fixed, but leaving a large area of ground-down pavement at the intersection. Fresh asphalt appeared just in time, before the first snow.

My thanks to all who made those repairs so that our streets are safer this winter.