Snow and Ice Removal

During the upcoming winter season it is the goal of the Public Works Department to provide residents with the highest possible level of service, and to promote a safe environment for pedestrian and vehicular traffic. We take this responsibility very seriously, and strive to continuously improve our snow removal operations. The Public Works Department would like to remind its residents and business owners of the following Snow and Ice Control Policy and recommended snow removal tips.

• Salting of streets in the Central Business District and along principal routes, key intersections, hills, and curves, is conducted whenever icy or slippery conditions become hazardous.  The Village tries to balance its priority of insuring public safety with concern for the severe pollutant effects of salt on the environment.
• Snow plowing begins when snow accumulation amounts to more than two inches.  Plowing continues as long as required to maintain passable roadways.  Plowing priorities are as follows:

1. Central Business District
2. Principal arterial streets
3. Collector streets and parking lots
4. Local through streets
5. Cul-de-sacs and alleys

It’s important to know that there are a number of streets within the Village limits that are not within the Village’s jurisdiction and therefore are not maintained by Public Works. The Village does not snow plow the following Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) streets: Crawford Avenue, Governors Highway, Western Avenue, and Dixie Highway. The Village does not snow plow the following Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways (CCHD) streets: Kedzie Avenue, Vollmer Road, Holbrook Road, and a Flossmoor Road between Crawford Avenue and Governors Highway. 

In order to make everyone's winter safe and enjoyable the Public Works Department offers these suggestions:

• Please do not allow children to play on or around the street during a storm or afterwards.  Visibility is often limited during snowplowing efforts.  Snow forts or tunnels in snowbanks present a serious hazard.  In addition, sledding areas and toys should be kept far away from the street.
• Please do not attempt to get the attention of snow plow operators, even while they are stopped as weather conditions could still make it difficult to for them to see you.  If you would like to request service or to report a problem during a snow event, please contact either the public works or police department directly. 
• If possible, shovel driveway aprons only after roadways are completely cleared.  This will eliminate the need to shovel more than once.
• Do not push snow into or across the street.  This not only creates an additional hazard, but also may result in the same snow being deposited in your neighbor's driveway should the snowplow make an additional pass.
• In order to make pedestrian travel safer and easier for everyone, clear snow and ice from the walks adjacent to your property.  
• Consider helping out emergency efforts by keeping access to a nearby hydrant clear of snow.
• Maintain and repair mailboxes and posts.  Check your mailbox to make sure it is secured properly to the post and does not extend past the face of the curb.
• Please remove all vehicles from the roadway.  This will decrease hazards for snow plow operators and allow roadways to be plowed efficiently.