Winter Weather Toolkit for Alders, Community Groups and Media

Department of Streets and Sanitation Snow Command

The City’s winter overnight parking ban is in effect to ensure the Department of Streets and Sanitation (DSS) crews can quickly salt and plow the streets during a winter storm. The ban impacts approximately 107 miles of Chicago streets daily from 3:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m., and signage is permanently posted along the affected routes. Residents are encouraged to check the posted street signs for parking restrictions. DSS manages more than 9,400 lane miles of roadway and maintains a fleet of over 300 snow vehicles that are fully prepared to respond if needed. DSS is also prepared with 425,000 tons of salt stationed at salt piles throughout the city. For up-to-date snowplow activity, visit the plow tracker at Shovels.Chicago.gov.

Department of Transportation

The Department of Transportation (CDOT) reminds all home, business, and property owners to clear snow from all sidewalks adjacent to their property, including any crosswalk ramps.  Snow should not be shoveled into the right-of-way, which includes transit stops and bus pads, parking spaces, bike lanes, bike racks, Divvy stations, and any other space where snow impedes traffic of any kind. Property owners responsible for a corner lot must remove snow and ice from sidewalks on all sides of the building and from corner sidewalk ramps. CDOT is responsible for salting and plowing the more than 55 miles of protected bike lanes in Chicago. The public can report uncleared sidewalks and bike lanes by calling 3-1-1, visiting 311.Chicago.gov, or by using the CHI 311 app.

Business Affairs and Consumer Protection

The Chicago Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection (BACP) is reminding business licensees that it is their duty to remove sidewalk snow and ice as outlined in the Municipal Code of Chicago 4-4-310 and 10-8-180. Each licensee must remove snow and ice from the sidewalk abutting the licensed premises and any sidewalk ramps intersecting such sidewalks, creating a clear path of at least five feet in width. Businesses that do not comply can face fines. Once any amount of snow has accumulated, sidewalk cafe permittees with sidewalk cafes on the street-side of the sidewalk must remove their cafes from the public way until the snow is removed. Permittees with sidewalk cafes on the building-side of the sidewalk must remove their sidewalk cafes from the public way once two inches of snow has accumulated until the snow is removed.

Warming Centers

The City coordinates a network of more than 200 public facilities available for warming. This includes participating Chicago Public Library locations, Chicago Park District, Chicago Police Department and City Colleges of Chicago facilities during business or designated hours.

Department of Family & Support Services

The Chicago Department of Family & Support Services activates warming areas at the City’s six community service centers when temps are 32˚F or below.

• The warming areas are open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with reduced locations on holidays.
  • NOTE: Some locations will be closed on Wednesday, February 12 for Lincoln’s Birthday and Monday, February 17 for President’s Day. The Garfield Community Service Center will remain open from 9am-5pm on both days and will also be open on Saturday, February 15 and Sunday, February 16 from 9am-5pm.
• Under extreme cold conditions as defined by the National Weather Service and communicated by OEMC, warming center hours of operation at 10 S. Kedzie may be extended.
• Seniors are welcome at any of DFSS’s 21 senior centers. DFSS partners with OEMC to use robocalls to inform seniors of key information regarding how to stay safe during extreme weather.  Visit Chicago.gov/Seniors for senior center locations and hours.
• Those seeking a warm place to go after hours can also call 3-1-1 to be connected with available services.
• Individuals requiring emergency overnight shelter should also call 3-1-1.
• DFSS Homeless Outreach and Prevention (HOP) teams and street outreach partners work proactively with unhoused individuals to connect with warming options, shelter and well-being checks.
• Residents are also encouraged to check on relatives, neighbors and friends during a winter weather emergency.

Warming Centers Center Locations available Monday - Friday

All Community Service Centers (9 a.m.- 5 p.m. - NOTE: Some locations will be closed on Wednesday, February 12 for Lincoln’s Birthday and Monday, February 17 for President’s Day. The Garfield Community Service Center will remain open from 9am-5pm on both days and will also be open on Saturday, February 15 and Sunday, February 16 from 9am-5pm.

• Englewood Community Service Center - 1140 West 79th Street
• Garfield Community Service Center - 10 South Kedzie Avenue
• Martin Luther King Community Service Center - 4314 South Cottage Grove
• North Area Community Service Center - 845 West Wilson Avenue
• South Chicago Community Service Center - 8650 South Commercial Avenue
• Trina Davila Community Service Center - 4312 West North Avenue

Senior Centers (8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.) – visit Chicago.gov/Seniors for locations. NOTE: locations will be closed on Wednesday, February 12 for Lincoln’s Birthday and Monday, February 17 for President’s Day.

Warming Centers Center Locations available Monday – Sunday

• Chicago Public Library locations, visit chipublib.org for hours and locations. NOTE: locations will be closed on Wednesday, February 12 for Lincoln’s Birthday and Monday, February 17 for President’s Day
• Chicago Park District locations. NOTE: some locations will be closed on Wednesday, February 12 for Lincoln’s Birthday and Monday, February 17 for President’s Day Holiday Schedule Chicago Park District.
• Chicago Police Districts

To find the closest warming center and hours residents can contact 3-1-1 via phone or online at 311.chicago.gov, download the Chicago OEMC, or visit  the data portal link.- Warming Centers - Map | City of Chicago | Data Portal.

Warming center hours may be extended, along with other supports when the Office of Emergency Management and Communication (OEMC) enacts the City’s Emergency Operations Plan for extreme cold conditions as defined by the National Weather Service. Please visit the OEMC website for up-to-date information during extreme weather events.

Cold-Weather Tips:

• Motorists should take extra precautions to winterize vehicles and have necessary supplies on-the-go. Keep in mind, disabled vehicles or distracted driving can cause accidents, impact traffic and others or requiring emergency services.
• Residents should know the signs and care of frostbite and hypothermia. For Winter preparation information visit, gov/OEMC for details and links to other local, state, and federal resources.
• Avoid unnecessary trips outside if you must go out, limit the time you stay outside.
• Wear several layers of loose, warm cloth.
• Keep your head, hands and feet covered when outdoor.
• Stay dry because moisture can damage the insulation effectiveness of clothing.
• Pay extra attention to your daily needs: get enough sleep, eat high energy foods, drink warm beverages to help your body stay warm, and avoid alcoholic beverages.
• Don’t forget your pets, bring them inside during bitter cold and numbing wetness, to stay safe and warm.

Weather Preparedness and Weather Forecasts

For Winter safety and preparedness at your fingertips, residents are encouraged to download the Chicago OEMC App. The public safety tool provides safety information, preparedness tips, emergency alerts, weather information, DSS Snowplow Tracker and more in the palm of your hand. Users will also have access to current forecasts, radar and public safety information as well. The app is available through the Apple App and Google Play stores or visit the website,Chicago.gov/OEMC.

It’s important to be prepared and take safety precautions. Residents are reminded to make your family, home and vehicles are prepared for winter conditions. Severe cold temperatures, strong winds and snow can cause additional hazards, whether home or traveling, so it’s important to stay informed. OEMC issues several alerts and notifications to keep people up to date on weather conditions and emergencies.

• Notify Chicago: Sign up for emergency alerts at org
• CHILAKE: For lakefront notices including flooding, TEXT “CHILAKE” to 7-8-0-1-5
• CHIBIZ: Business updates, TEXT “CHIBIZ” to 6-7-2-8-3

Suspicious Activity: If you See Something Say Something. OEMC reminds the public to be aware of their surroundings and to report suspicious activity. If you notice something suspicious, notify onsite security or call 9-1-1. If You See Something, Say Something™ is a national anti-terrorism public awareness campaign that emphasizes the importance of reporting suspicious activity to law enforcement authorities.

For additional information on emergency preparedness information, visit the OEMC website at Chicago.gov/OEMC. Follow the Office of Emergency Management and Communications on Facebook(@coemc), Twitter (@ChicagoOEMC) and Instagram (chicago_oemc_911).