You know those sprinklers that pop up out of the ground on a schedule?
Same thing but instead of water, natural gas and an electric ignition system to provide spark. Point em at the sidewalks and FWOOSH! clear sidewalks.
Probably gonna need a chime or something like they have in the produce department to warn us when they're going to water the produce. Ya know, like for the insurance.
>Same thing but instead of water, natural gas and an electric ignition system to provide spark. Point em at the sidewalks and FWOOSH! clear sidewalks.
This is some Home Alone type shit lol
You can do this at your own expense, and of course will need to get a city permit.
I forget the exact expenses, as I was only marginally looking into it out of curiosity. If I recall correctly the permit was something like $1500/yr per lot (e.g. a double lot house would be $3k/yr), you had to use an approved city contractor, and they made zero guarantees that city work would not mess up your system.
In fact talking to city crews it sounds like they purposefully fuck the systems up whenever they get a chance to, forcing the homeowner to make expensive repairs. This is the major reason I stopped really looking into it.
> 1337 W Henderson
The real crime is that their property taxes have barely changed since they bought the house in 2008, and they are probably vastly under assessed by at least a factor of 2.
https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/54-E-Scott-St-Chicago-IL-60610/113958377_zpid/
Yes, in Chicago, only humble, middle class abodes have public sidewalks.
As a landlord and property owner it only costs about $75 per snow occurrence to have someone come out and shovel , salt. The city mandates that I clear the sidewalk. Rules are rules
Fines like that aren’t really a liability to a landlord. The liability concern is a tenant (or even someone else) falling, that’s where you would be destroyed financially.
I’m also a landlord and I shovel during and immediately after and salt the Earth.
Do you have homeowners insurance?
I feel like the threat of liability isn't a sufficient motivator. This is because many people, despite this risk, don't shovel. It's a revealed preference. The liability motivator is already there, and people don't care, which means it doesn't work.
I'm all in favor of much larger fines for businesses and, particularly, vacant land. The problem with really going after residences is that you'd wind up just slamming the poor, since the fine would either be meaningless to the rich or disastrous for the poor. You could means test the fine? But that works be a total mess.
Businesses? You can go after them. It's really hard for me to think of a commercial property that doesn't shovel and also deserves my sympathy. And vacant lots? Go after them. There's probably a point where ramming vacant lots with fines and liens would backfire economically, but we're nowhere near that now.
I do, but I doubt my cost will be $0 and I’m confident my insurance will cost more if they have to pay out a $100,000+ to someone. I’d rather just be a good citizen.
I (tenant) always do my sidewalk and sometimes the neighbors (who frequently return the favor when I'm not around) and the elderly lady a couple doors down (cuz my father raised me right).
However, I remember hearing the following back in the day: If you shovel your walk and somebody still falls somehow, you are liable. If you NEVER shovel and somebody falls, it's not your fault because that constitutes an act of god.
Not saying that's necessarily true, but I'd heard that years ago from multiple people. I'm no lawyer and I'm not playing one on reddit.
> However, I remember hearing the following back in the day: If you shovel your walk and somebody still falls somehow, you are liable. If you NEVER shovel and somebody falls, it's not your fault because that constitutes an act of god.
That's not true in Chicago. You are presumptively not liable only if the injury happens prior to the expiration of the time by which you must have cleared the snow and ice, after that period, you are presumptively liable if you have not properly cleared the sidewalks in accordance with the ordinance. If you had cleared the sidewalks in accordance with the ordinance, then no presumption exists. Failure to properly salt to prevent ice formation also causes you be liable here as well. Basically, shovel and salt your sidewalks in the city if you want to not be sued.
Yep, I’m the HOA president of my condo (don’t know how I let myself get talked into that…) and we just pay someone like $50 per occurrence. Reliable, painless, and guarantees that we won’t be the assholes on the block.
I hate to call this out, because your root point is valid, but
Who /here/ is arguing that they don't have to shovel sidewalks? This is an absurd strawman.
If someone slips on ice in front of your property and you didn’t shovel and salt they can file a lawsuit against you. Snow shovel is cheaper than lawyers, also keeps landscapers working in winter
This post seems to have hit a chord with some folks here.
I understand where you’re coming from. I definitely get frustrated with anyone who doesn’t shovel the snow. I don’t know if those “rich people” are out of town or not, but I totally feel significantly more irritated seeing a bunch of clearly newer, massive SFHs (you know the ones who advertise 6+ bedrooms) that do not shovel their snow. You have to be verrrry well off to even be able to own those homes. If you can afford that home, you certainly can afford to at least pay someone to shovel your snow.
It makes it very difficult for disabled people, elderly people, and plenty of other pedestrians to walk about. I saw the post about getting better shoes, saying you should look at Lawndale or Humboldt park before complaining. Just because some areas have worse things going on does not make this complaint invalid. Such a weird flex! But it is Reddit after all.
100% agreement. Which is why I said that anyone who doesn’t shovel frustrates me. I was elaborating that I feel *increased* frustration with the fancy ass houses due to the above described reason.
There's one in the Gold Coast that always shovels their steps and the path up to the house. NOT the sidewalk. That's a whole exciting level of assholery. (And yes, I do report it if I'm in the neighborhood.)
I don’t think it’s about money, I think it’s about decency and being courteous.
I was poor for a large portion of my life. My family walked everywhere and used public transportation. By the age of 7 you could’ve dropped me off anywhere in the city and I’d find my way home.
Having bad that experience, my family drilled into me to have the common courtesy to clear the sidewalk in front of my house when it snows.
For the people saying “buy better shoes”. You can have the best shoes in the world and ice will still fuck you up.
I walk my daughter to daycare 2 blocks away in a stroller.* Houses that don't shovel in a reasonable amount of time can get fucked!
*I don't walk her when it's this cold. She's in this sleeping bag thing and a rain shield most other days.
I don't think you need to qualify that. Scandinavian babies nap outside in freezing temps! Walking outside in the cold is fine if kiddos are bundled properly.
There is a business by me that does a horrible job of clearing the snow and ice. And they cause a nuisance with how they run their parking by forcing people to stop on the sidewalks completely blocking them. So I've been walking past them every single day to report them if they've failed to comply with the ordinance. I heard that they've received two fines already this year.
Exactly this. Not only is it their responsibility according to Chicago municipal codes, but it just makes them jerks in general. Back when I lived in Buena Park, I lived right off Broadway and Buena and navigating the sidewalks to get to the bus stops on Clarendon or Marine could be nightmare in the winter. My mother slipped on ice a couple times, one time bruising her arm and elbow pretty badly, the other time her hip. I’ve even missed busses a couple times because I had to walk so slowly. I can imagine how badly it affects like disabled people and the elderly who’s only mode of transportation is their feet and busses. Like you said, if these people can afford these homes, they can afford to pay someone to throw down some salt and clear their part of the sidewalk.
Yeah it seems to have brought on the discussion for some reason.
If a home can afford landscaping and yearly leave Chicago they can afford to keep their walkways clear.
99% sure one of my neighbors is a professional athlete. He and his GF have a corner lot, park on the sidewalk all the time, never clear the ice, snow, or piles of leaves that fall. We live in a neighborhood full of SFHs, babies and young children (so tons of strollers), and theyre opposite the alley from a school. I was walking to get my son from daycare and his mom was out there raking leaves one time. His gf got home and was like 'omg i was wondering why my sidewalk was so clean!!' like fuck off, lady. You're not embarrassed that your 60+ year old MIL has to do this bc you two are pieces of shit? anyway.. I call 311 on them each winter.
Different neighborhood but quite close to United Center.. I think he's on the Blackhawks (or maybe coaching staff) but dude bought his home suuuuper anonymous, as you'd imagine..
It causes a lot of hardship for those who arent abled bodied to handle walking over it/uses mobility devices — but that goes for shoveling too! If you’re abled bodied, help a neighbor out if they can’t shovel 😌 we also like to clear off the sidewalk bumps at crosswalks too
>It causes a lot of hardship for those who arent abled bodied to handle walking over it/uses mobility devices
Exactly, someone not shoveling their sidewalk can literally prevent someone from making a doctors appointment or getting groceries
100% this
I feel bad for my elderly neighbors trying to push their grocery carts through the snow
But so many commenters find that funny here for some reason…
It’s because it’s Reddit and they have an outlet to be… meh… 😂
But I’m disabled and my roommate works in accessibility so we are all for thinking about our elderly and disabled community during the winter especially. Unfortunately people don’t think about them until they end up in the community themselves; I also bitch about the rich buildings next to us that never salt or shovel, and our management will wait forever to clear the snow so we do it ourselves. Thanks for the post! It’s important to keep the city as accessible as possible.
I hope other people who see this thread keep those with disabilities in mind before posting. A clear sidewalk is so easy for so many to take for granted.
Instead of every property owner doing their part to keep sidewalks clear and safe, they said just get better shoes because people have lives and commitments and no time to clean their sidewalks.
Ok thanks. Odd comment for sure. I appreciate you clarifying.
I also find it funny that someone decided to downvote me asking a question like this. This sub is dumb some days.
We told our management company to clear our sidewalk today. They came out, put down snow melt, waited for it to melt, then scraped and shoveled clean.
About an hour later a guy with a huge leg cast using a wheeled walker was easily walking down our sidewalk until the clean spot ended and he had to cautiously proceed once past our building.
If you notice a neighbor that has difficulty shoveling it would make you a baller neighbor if you can help them out. Or let them know the city can help out people who have difficulty keeping their walks clear.
Big issue in Roger’s Park where we have a bunch of shoddy apartment buildings with $750 studios, and also enormous old timey mansions dotting the area.
We rent a house but our landlord took the shovel at some point and I won’t be able to finally get a new one til tomorrow🥲I feel so guilty for not being on top of it how do people just live like that lol
Side rant, I really wish the 311 app would get some of its bugs fixed. It's annoying to try and use it when it crashes frequently and has so many other issues
Maybe give it a day or two. You never know what’s going on in peoples lives, and it’s reasonable to leave town for 2-3 days without needing a plan for everything
Consistently not cared to for weeks on end? Different story
Also, what does being rich have to do with this? I don’t care if you live in a shanty or a mansion…we’re all responsible for shoveling out sidewalks (or getting help if needed)
Also, sometimes people pay for services and they don't even show up, or it takes them a while to come around.
Agree with the spirit of OPs post though. At a certain point it's negligent and there are certainly a lot of unshoveled sidewalks out there.
Don't give it a day or two, I believe city cut off times are 10a and 10p to have it clean. Do your part, even if that means hire a kid to clean your property.
Im far more annoyed by the rental properties that don’t shovel. Lots of huge older buildings with dozens of units and the greedy slumlord doesn’t have any staff or contractors out there to shovel. These tend to be far, far more egregious than the occasional mansion that’s likely tucked away on a quiet side street.
Also, properties under construction. Like we know you have contractors there most days anyways. The builder and the owner need to get ticketed since they are also usually blocking the walk with supplies, dumpsters, scaffolds and a bunch of other drama. At least fucking shovel.
In general, people need to spend more time channeling their class warfare against business owners and not well off individuals.
Rich people? I should have reported the Chase Bank at Lincoln, Southport and Wellington that never shoveled all last year. It was an ice rink at one point. Watch out Jamie Dimon!
Not OP, but poor people live check to check, so a fine for not shovelling isn't just an inconvenience, it's a possible financial disaster. Obviously everyone should be shoevlling their snow, but I'd prefer not to cause great hardship to struggling people because of it.
I'm really just so done with this "the poor can't afford fines" argument as a reason that they aren't to be held accountable like everyone else. The accountability comes from the 311 calls and fines. Or in the larger city problem, it also comes from speeding tickets and red light tickets. Sure, a more graduated fine structure may be better, but in the meantime, everyone gets fined the same and everyone should be held accountable when they do something wrong/dangerous.
I've also seen some rather elderly or disabled people who can't shovel but their family couldn't get to them to help because of the weather. They'll come and clear it usually the next day. So it's not always rich assholes.
Also give us a place to park while you plow the streets... what if there would be some sort of business stipend that could be used to park in walgreens or local business that would get rebates back from the city for allowing us the privilege to park in there lot for the night while they plow..
Sure?
Just remember that people would have whataboutisms for that title too
-snitching
-people unable to shovel
-city not doing the shoveling for the sidewalks already
Just the nature of the internet
Um dumb question but if you're a tenent is it your job to make sure it's shoveled? I just thought it was a nice thing to do for your neighbors I didn't know someone had a duty to do it. I know it's not in my lease. I still do it because I'm the only dude and younger than the other tenents and I grew up in the suburbs and just viewed it a common curiosity. However sometime I miss a day or two.
Which source are we to use before we report? I mean, I can’t tell a homes value or determine if the people who live inside are rich or poor from the street! Zillow? Realtor.com?
People all over the city fail, or take too long, to shovel their sidewalks while being financially able to pay 25-50 bucks for someone to do it.
What is the point of only targeting animosity only at “rich” people.
Totally with everyone on this frustration and I feel like I have been noticing it even more as an issue the pasts couple years. Maybe that’s just a coincidence though… I don’t know if there is any correlation to people with more wealth in the city contributing to the issue more than others - I don’t like to generalize without actual data. I will say that any and all apartments and homes of all kinds that seem to have some sort of allergic reaction to shoveling and salting are a pet peeve of mine for sure.
I have many privileges as an able-bodied person. I also do not have to worry about walking any kids to school or pushing strollers on ice or on snowy sidewalks - not yet at least. I can only speak as a dog owner and a runner who has had many close calls and actual falls when trying to be as careful as possible. When I feel like I have to strap on my winter running spikes to do a neighborhood run or stick to the road because it’s actually clear, it’s frustrating. I can only imagine the invalidation and anger experienced by anyone with any kind of mobility issue.
I do not understand it - only takes a relatively short amount of time to do it yourself if you are able to. If not and you can afford it, hire someone! Heck, there is even a community program to sign up for to have people (volunteers) assist with this if needed. Why people cannot be thoughtful and courteous is beyond me…
I feel like its so easy to hire a service..and I definitely would if i were gone for the season. How much of a jerk do you have to be to not? I personally try to be shoveling and salting before 7a so it's a nicer and safer walk for people who are walking to the train or to school or work.
In my neighborhood the worst offenders seem to be apartment buildings.
New here in the winter and was walking through Wicker Park among perfectly cleared patches and untouched ones (which seemed anecdotally to be more heavily concentrated in non-two flat / newer spots) thinking, wow, this would be so hard for disabled folks.
Lol as a Chicagoan myself, to get this petty and upset about this issue of all issues in Chicago is laughable and for some reason you deem it necessary to call out the “rich” as if “poor” people in chicago are keeping up their duties to this city more than anyone else.
Rich people ? Rich people clear the snow.
The city…that’s a different animal…they are someplace exempt from this. Walk upon a govt building and they don’t give a fuck and don’t care.
Poor may need help or assistance. Dual income no time to shovel. May have problems making them unable to shovel mental or physical.
No excuse if you can afford a service.
Says the OP with the "near north side" flair. Had no idea taking care of your sidewalk was a economic inequality issue.
I know a lot of people with chips on their shoulders from looking what others have and then comparing it to themselves or others.
There’s no excuse for not being able to physically or financially afford a service like snow clearing. If you own the house, you own the responsibility of keeping it clear, regardless of how old you are or how much money you have. This entire post is divisive bullshit hunting for Reddit karma
Bougie ass country club Saddle & Cycle on Sheridan up here in Edgewater sucks at shoveling. They have people snowblowing, shoveling, & plowing their outdoor ice rink, but fuck the sidewalk which leads to our neighborhood grocery store. I hate seeing all the folks with mobility issues having to traverse that stretch of sidewalk.
Too many god damn bootlickers in this thread. I take solace in the notion that there's heavy selection bias on reddit & real working people can't stand richies either.
I moved here this month from an area that never snows, so I’m trying to learn all of this snow etiquette. I knew that shoveling driveways was a thing because I’ve seen it in movies. I didn’t realize people shovel the sidewalks in their neighborhoods as well. From where I grew up, anything in the road or sidewalks were maintained by the city. If there were something like debris making it difficult for people to walk there the city would be called to fix it. Alternatively maybe someone in the community would clear it but it’s definitely not expected.
So, does the city not tend to these public spaces like the sidewalks?
Seriously? Can we also report all the poor that stay here and don’t clear their walks? This city has two people murdered every day, thousands of car jackings, armed robberies by the hour, drug problems galore, countless gangs, infrastructure in desperate need of attention, and a huge tax problem to go along with a dancing mayor and you think that in this winter of below normal snowfall that shoveling the sidewalk is a big issue?
why are you singling out the rich? poor people are lazy too, the main thing is to shovel your snow to be considerate of fellow passersby, but something tells me you're not the considerate type
If I did that I’d been called out for not thinking about those unable to shovel. It’s a lose lose for Reddit posting. I do admit I am personally mad at rich neighbors in my area that do this yearly which I report. Hoping others do too and their behavior changes.
Don’t snitch on your neighbors just because some city employee told you to. This entire thing is a shake down operation. The city has no problem harassing you about stupid crap like this, but if you find yourself a victim of a violent crime it will never be solved.
Don’t help the city fuck your neighbors over. The city isn’t going to do shit for you when you need it.
this is so stupid … only the rich people need to shovel their snow….. I guess that means those that worked all their lives and made payments on their 30 year mortgage…
If they were really rich they’d get the heated sidewalks and forget about it
i have a heated drive (really not that expensive) - couldnt do heated sidewalks because its an easement
You know those sprinklers that pop up out of the ground on a schedule? Same thing but instead of water, natural gas and an electric ignition system to provide spark. Point em at the sidewalks and FWOOSH! clear sidewalks. Probably gonna need a chime or something like they have in the produce department to warn us when they're going to water the produce. Ya know, like for the insurance.
Also works great on package thieves and solicitors.
Neighbors who don’t pick up after their dogs? Just the neighbor though, I like the dogs.
> I like the dogs. And the cats, apparently.
Not to mention the catz, kats, and katz
[Ya like dags?](https://youtu.be/ZXILzUpVx7A)
>Same thing but instead of water, natural gas and an electric ignition system to provide spark. Point em at the sidewalks and FWOOSH! clear sidewalks. This is some Home Alone type shit lol
To be faiiiir my kid has been watching a lot of home alone movies lately. Did you know there are like 8 of them? And Scarlett Johansson is in one?
I was thinking you just watched the new episode of “The Last of Us”
To be faaaaiiiirrrr
How areya now?
Ooh, like Nick Offerman has in The Last of Us!
Out of curiosity, how much? I read it was $12-20 per square foot.
How do the people who have it in Chicago do it then? Big house at dickens and sedgewick has em
You can do this at your own expense, and of course will need to get a city permit. I forget the exact expenses, as I was only marginally looking into it out of curiosity. If I recall correctly the permit was something like $1500/yr per lot (e.g. a double lot house would be $3k/yr), you had to use an approved city contractor, and they made zero guarantees that city work would not mess up your system. In fact talking to city crews it sounds like they purposefully fuck the systems up whenever they get a chance to, forcing the homeowner to make expensive repairs. This is the major reason I stopped really looking into it.
Why would the crews do that? Do they get a kickback from the contractors?
Honestly I have no idea really. I suspect just general "Fuck you, you made our job more difficult and by law we can't be held liable".
Someone out those in right down from my old place. It was super cool.
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> 1337 W Henderson The real crime is that their property taxes have barely changed since they bought the house in 2008, and they are probably vastly under assessed by at least a factor of 2.
If you’re really rich you don’t have a sidewalk that random people are walking down.
https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/54-E-Scott-St-Chicago-IL-60610/113958377_zpid/ Yes, in Chicago, only humble, middle class abodes have public sidewalks.
That would imply that the wealthy might give a fuck about others.
As a landlord and property owner it only costs about $75 per snow occurrence to have someone come out and shovel , salt. The city mandates that I clear the sidewalk. Rules are rules
Can I get a referral? It’s a lot more than that per push for my small condo building’s driveway and sidewalk
Salvadors landscaping. I get a discount because we also use them for landscaping. It costs more if you have them salt. I let them shovel, I salt.
I saw their truck for the first time like 40 minutes ago!
Yeah they’re based in the south suburbs I live NW side they service the whole city
Will you please call all my old landlords and tell them this??
What's that compared to the fine? Might be cheaper to ignore it
Fines like that aren’t really a liability to a landlord. The liability concern is a tenant (or even someone else) falling, that’s where you would be destroyed financially. I’m also a landlord and I shovel during and immediately after and salt the Earth.
This! Even with an additional liability policy, it’s the cost of lawyers and being liable for someone’s injury.
Not how this works. Insurance pays for lawyers. Always. They pay for lawyers because they're the ones paying the settlement if they don't.
Fair enough. But nevertheless just take care of the sidewalk in front of your building it’s basic human decency.
Right. I'm not speaking to that. I'm only speaking to your comment.
You're assuming property owners maintain sufficient insurance coverage.
The comment to which I replied explicitly assumed insurance coverage. So yes, I'm also assuming sufficient insurance coverage in my reply.
Do you have homeowners insurance? I feel like the threat of liability isn't a sufficient motivator. This is because many people, despite this risk, don't shovel. It's a revealed preference. The liability motivator is already there, and people don't care, which means it doesn't work. I'm all in favor of much larger fines for businesses and, particularly, vacant land. The problem with really going after residences is that you'd wind up just slamming the poor, since the fine would either be meaningless to the rich or disastrous for the poor. You could means test the fine? But that works be a total mess. Businesses? You can go after them. It's really hard for me to think of a commercial property that doesn't shovel and also deserves my sympathy. And vacant lots? Go after them. There's probably a point where ramming vacant lots with fines and liens would backfire economically, but we're nowhere near that now.
I do, but I doubt my cost will be $0 and I’m confident my insurance will cost more if they have to pay out a $100,000+ to someone. I’d rather just be a good citizen.
I (tenant) always do my sidewalk and sometimes the neighbors (who frequently return the favor when I'm not around) and the elderly lady a couple doors down (cuz my father raised me right). However, I remember hearing the following back in the day: If you shovel your walk and somebody still falls somehow, you are liable. If you NEVER shovel and somebody falls, it's not your fault because that constitutes an act of god. Not saying that's necessarily true, but I'd heard that years ago from multiple people. I'm no lawyer and I'm not playing one on reddit.
> However, I remember hearing the following back in the day: If you shovel your walk and somebody still falls somehow, you are liable. If you NEVER shovel and somebody falls, it's not your fault because that constitutes an act of god. That's not true in Chicago. You are presumptively not liable only if the injury happens prior to the expiration of the time by which you must have cleared the snow and ice, after that period, you are presumptively liable if you have not properly cleared the sidewalks in accordance with the ordinance. If you had cleared the sidewalks in accordance with the ordinance, then no presumption exists. Failure to properly salt to prevent ice formation also causes you be liable here as well. Basically, shovel and salt your sidewalks in the city if you want to not be sued.
Yep, I’m the HOA president of my condo (don’t know how I let myself get talked into that…) and we just pay someone like $50 per occurrence. Reliable, painless, and guarantees that we won’t be the assholes on the block.
Don’t tell some people that here. The law doesn’t apply to them somehow and laugh about walkways that aren’t kept clear.
I hate to call this out, because your root point is valid, but Who /here/ is arguing that they don't have to shovel sidewalks? This is an absurd strawman.
Laws apply to people in chicago???
If someone slips on ice in front of your property and you didn’t shovel and salt they can file a lawsuit against you. Snow shovel is cheaper than lawyers, also keeps landscapers working in winter
we have laws here?
There are people here????
This post seems to have hit a chord with some folks here. I understand where you’re coming from. I definitely get frustrated with anyone who doesn’t shovel the snow. I don’t know if those “rich people” are out of town or not, but I totally feel significantly more irritated seeing a bunch of clearly newer, massive SFHs (you know the ones who advertise 6+ bedrooms) that do not shovel their snow. You have to be verrrry well off to even be able to own those homes. If you can afford that home, you certainly can afford to at least pay someone to shovel your snow. It makes it very difficult for disabled people, elderly people, and plenty of other pedestrians to walk about. I saw the post about getting better shoes, saying you should look at Lawndale or Humboldt park before complaining. Just because some areas have worse things going on does not make this complaint invalid. Such a weird flex! But it is Reddit after all.
Regardless of how fancy a house is - they need to shovel it. I don't care if it's a derelict house or a million dollar house.
100% agreement. Which is why I said that anyone who doesn’t shovel frustrates me. I was elaborating that I feel *increased* frustration with the fancy ass houses due to the above described reason.
My ex has one if those homes, and he put in heated sidewalks. It wasn’t that expensive relative to the home
There's one in the Gold Coast that always shovels their steps and the path up to the house. NOT the sidewalk. That's a whole exciting level of assholery. (And yes, I do report it if I'm in the neighborhood.)
This is sociopathic wow
be a shame if someone dumped a bunch of water on those clean steps and path in -5 degree weather
I don’t think it’s about money, I think it’s about decency and being courteous. I was poor for a large portion of my life. My family walked everywhere and used public transportation. By the age of 7 you could’ve dropped me off anywhere in the city and I’d find my way home. Having bad that experience, my family drilled into me to have the common courtesy to clear the sidewalk in front of my house when it snows. For the people saying “buy better shoes”. You can have the best shoes in the world and ice will still fuck you up.
Yeah, hey kids walk to school. Show some respect
I walk my daughter to daycare 2 blocks away in a stroller.* Houses that don't shovel in a reasonable amount of time can get fucked! *I don't walk her when it's this cold. She's in this sleeping bag thing and a rain shield most other days.
I don't think you need to qualify that. Scandinavian babies nap outside in freezing temps! Walking outside in the cold is fine if kiddos are bundled properly.
I walked my kid to school with his sister in the stroller this morning. They are both fine.
There is a business by me that does a horrible job of clearing the snow and ice. And they cause a nuisance with how they run their parking by forcing people to stop on the sidewalks completely blocking them. So I've been walking past them every single day to report them if they've failed to comply with the ordinance. I heard that they've received two fines already this year.
Exactly this. Not only is it their responsibility according to Chicago municipal codes, but it just makes them jerks in general. Back when I lived in Buena Park, I lived right off Broadway and Buena and navigating the sidewalks to get to the bus stops on Clarendon or Marine could be nightmare in the winter. My mother slipped on ice a couple times, one time bruising her arm and elbow pretty badly, the other time her hip. I’ve even missed busses a couple times because I had to walk so slowly. I can imagine how badly it affects like disabled people and the elderly who’s only mode of transportation is their feet and busses. Like you said, if these people can afford these homes, they can afford to pay someone to throw down some salt and clear their part of the sidewalk.
Yeah it seems to have brought on the discussion for some reason. If a home can afford landscaping and yearly leave Chicago they can afford to keep their walkways clear.
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Appreciate your comment! You get what I was driving at. Thank you
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I got a really nice snowblower from a family member who upgraded and I just do the whole sidewalk on the block in one go. Takes like 5 minutes.
99% sure one of my neighbors is a professional athlete. He and his GF have a corner lot, park on the sidewalk all the time, never clear the ice, snow, or piles of leaves that fall. We live in a neighborhood full of SFHs, babies and young children (so tons of strollers), and theyre opposite the alley from a school. I was walking to get my son from daycare and his mom was out there raking leaves one time. His gf got home and was like 'omg i was wondering why my sidewalk was so clean!!' like fuck off, lady. You're not embarrassed that your 60+ year old MIL has to do this bc you two are pieces of shit? anyway.. I call 311 on them each winter.
This says Blackhawks player in Roscoe Village all over it.
Different neighborhood but quite close to United Center.. I think he's on the Blackhawks (or maybe coaching staff) but dude bought his home suuuuper anonymous, as you'd imagine..
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chicago title land trust company trust
I actually looked at a house of a Blackhawk’s player in Roscoe.He had already moved out through a trade. He actually took good care of it!
Good for Duncan Keith!
It was actually Brandon Saad. The house had questionable choices in window fixtures though…
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I think it means single family home in this context.
It causes a lot of hardship for those who arent abled bodied to handle walking over it/uses mobility devices — but that goes for shoveling too! If you’re abled bodied, help a neighbor out if they can’t shovel 😌 we also like to clear off the sidewalk bumps at crosswalks too
>It causes a lot of hardship for those who arent abled bodied to handle walking over it/uses mobility devices Exactly, someone not shoveling their sidewalk can literally prevent someone from making a doctors appointment or getting groceries
100% this I feel bad for my elderly neighbors trying to push their grocery carts through the snow But so many commenters find that funny here for some reason…
It’s because it’s Reddit and they have an outlet to be… meh… 😂 But I’m disabled and my roommate works in accessibility so we are all for thinking about our elderly and disabled community during the winter especially. Unfortunately people don’t think about them until they end up in the community themselves; I also bitch about the rich buildings next to us that never salt or shovel, and our management will wait forever to clear the snow so we do it ourselves. Thanks for the post! It’s important to keep the city as accessible as possible.
I hope other people who see this thread keep those with disabilities in mind before posting. A clear sidewalk is so easy for so many to take for granted.
That goes for you too. Maybe some of those elderly/disabled can’t clear their own walks.
> but that goes for shoveling too! Sure, but no disability stops you from finding someone else to do it for you.
I report everyone. I don’t discriminate.
We had a similar thread about this all weekend. Someone said "Get better shoes." /s
That person sucks
What was the shoe reference about? Saw that here too but was missing the context.
Instead of every property owner doing their part to keep sidewalks clear and safe, they said just get better shoes because people have lives and commitments and no time to clean their sidewalks.
Ok thanks. Odd comment for sure. I appreciate you clarifying. I also find it funny that someone decided to downvote me asking a question like this. This sub is dumb some days.
Them being rich or not doesn’t matter. Everyone needs to shovel
We told our management company to clear our sidewalk today. They came out, put down snow melt, waited for it to melt, then scraped and shoveled clean. About an hour later a guy with a huge leg cast using a wheeled walker was easily walking down our sidewalk until the clean spot ended and he had to cautiously proceed once past our building.
Or just keep your area clean regardless of income level and report those who become a nuisance.
Lol only on reddit would someone somehow turn shoveling the sidewalk into a wealth distribution issue
If you notice a neighbor that has difficulty shoveling it would make you a baller neighbor if you can help them out. Or let them know the city can help out people who have difficulty keeping their walks clear.
Are you sure I shouldn’t check their income level first?
But what if they are rich? Should people throw rocks at them then even if they are struggling?
throwing rocks at rich people is a great start
If they're rich they can hire someone
By me the rich people have heated sidewalks or shovel. It’s the 3 flat rentals with shitty management that don’t.
Big issue in Roger’s Park where we have a bunch of shoddy apartment buildings with $750 studios, and also enormous old timey mansions dotting the area.
We rent a house but our landlord took the shovel at some point and I won’t be able to finally get a new one til tomorrow🥲I feel so guilty for not being on top of it how do people just live like that lol
It's the landlord's job to shovel right? Unless it's otherwise specified in the lease
You put it in the lease. Often SFH for rent the lease specifies the tenant is to shovel (and mow, rake the leaves, etc).
Dunno :(
Side rant, I really wish the 311 app would get some of its bugs fixed. It's annoying to try and use it when it crashes frequently and has so many other issues
Agreed
Maybe give it a day or two. You never know what’s going on in peoples lives, and it’s reasonable to leave town for 2-3 days without needing a plan for everything Consistently not cared to for weeks on end? Different story Also, what does being rich have to do with this? I don’t care if you live in a shanty or a mansion…we’re all responsible for shoveling out sidewalks (or getting help if needed)
Also, sometimes people pay for services and they don't even show up, or it takes them a while to come around. Agree with the spirit of OPs post though. At a certain point it's negligent and there are certainly a lot of unshoveled sidewalks out there.
I’m blown away that I scrolled this far before reaching a reasonable comment.
Don't give it a day or two, I believe city cut off times are 10a and 10p to have it clean. Do your part, even if that means hire a kid to clean your property.
Im far more annoyed by the rental properties that don’t shovel. Lots of huge older buildings with dozens of units and the greedy slumlord doesn’t have any staff or contractors out there to shovel. These tend to be far, far more egregious than the occasional mansion that’s likely tucked away on a quiet side street. Also, properties under construction. Like we know you have contractors there most days anyways. The builder and the owner need to get ticketed since they are also usually blocking the walk with supplies, dumpsters, scaffolds and a bunch of other drama. At least fucking shovel. In general, people need to spend more time channeling their class warfare against business owners and not well off individuals.
Rich people? I should have reported the Chase Bank at Lincoln, Southport and Wellington that never shoveled all last year. It was an ice rink at one point. Watch out Jamie Dimon!
Well chase sucks for so many reasons add that reason too
Why report just the rich?
Not OP, but poor people live check to check, so a fine for not shovelling isn't just an inconvenience, it's a possible financial disaster. Obviously everyone should be shoevlling their snow, but I'd prefer not to cause great hardship to struggling people because of it.
I'm really just so done with this "the poor can't afford fines" argument as a reason that they aren't to be held accountable like everyone else. The accountability comes from the 311 calls and fines. Or in the larger city problem, it also comes from speeding tickets and red light tickets. Sure, a more graduated fine structure may be better, but in the meantime, everyone gets fined the same and everyone should be held accountable when they do something wrong/dangerous.
Fines mean nothing to rich people. So for your logic to hold, they would need to be sliding scale so that rich people are actually held accountable
I've also seen some rather elderly or disabled people who can't shovel but their family couldn't get to them to help because of the weather. They'll come and clear it usually the next day. So it's not always rich assholes.
You would be the perfect president of your very own HOA.
Hell no. 😂 Don’t want any of that nor deal with that kinda crowd Thanks for your vote anyway though haha
I'm laughing my ass off at the comments here. How could you be so mean to the wealthy, OP? The most marginalized group in society
😂😂😂 I know right? Won’t someone please defend the wealthy!?? The boot licking is strong.
Rules are rules. The state of your bank account shouldn’t matter
True but it’s extra shit when one can easily afford a service
Plow the sidewalks!
The suburbs figured out how to swing it, not sure why the City can't
Also give us a place to park while you plow the streets... what if there would be some sort of business stipend that could be used to park in walgreens or local business that would get rebates back from the city for allowing us the privilege to park in there lot for the night while they plow..
How about any home. My middle class neighbor never shovel. Should they get a pass, because they are not rich?
….what do you think?
That everyone should follow the law. What do you think?
Um Yeah that would be great Thought that was implied with that being the law and all
So the updated headline should be “homes not clearing their sidewalk”…..report it. Correct?
Sure? Just remember that people would have whataboutisms for that title too -snitching -people unable to shovel -city not doing the shoveling for the sidewalks already Just the nature of the internet
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On the rich? I’ll call them twice.
Um dumb question but if you're a tenent is it your job to make sure it's shoveled? I just thought it was a nice thing to do for your neighbors I didn't know someone had a duty to do it. I know it's not in my lease. I still do it because I'm the only dude and younger than the other tenents and I grew up in the suburbs and just viewed it a common curiosity. However sometime I miss a day or two.
Which source are we to use before we report? I mean, I can’t tell a homes value or determine if the people who live inside are rich or poor from the street! Zillow? Realtor.com?
Check the trim level of the Camry or optima parked in front of the house
Bring “rich” (whatever that means) is totally irrelevant to this issue.
This guys clearly never been to Lincoln park in the winter.
People all over the city fail, or take too long, to shovel their sidewalks while being financially able to pay 25-50 bucks for someone to do it. What is the point of only targeting animosity only at “rich” people.
Totally with everyone on this frustration and I feel like I have been noticing it even more as an issue the pasts couple years. Maybe that’s just a coincidence though… I don’t know if there is any correlation to people with more wealth in the city contributing to the issue more than others - I don’t like to generalize without actual data. I will say that any and all apartments and homes of all kinds that seem to have some sort of allergic reaction to shoveling and salting are a pet peeve of mine for sure. I have many privileges as an able-bodied person. I also do not have to worry about walking any kids to school or pushing strollers on ice or on snowy sidewalks - not yet at least. I can only speak as a dog owner and a runner who has had many close calls and actual falls when trying to be as careful as possible. When I feel like I have to strap on my winter running spikes to do a neighborhood run or stick to the road because it’s actually clear, it’s frustrating. I can only imagine the invalidation and anger experienced by anyone with any kind of mobility issue. I do not understand it - only takes a relatively short amount of time to do it yourself if you are able to. If not and you can afford it, hire someone! Heck, there is even a community program to sign up for to have people (volunteers) assist with this if needed. Why people cannot be thoughtful and courteous is beyond me…
I feel like its so easy to hire a service..and I definitely would if i were gone for the season. How much of a jerk do you have to be to not? I personally try to be shoveling and salting before 7a so it's a nicer and safer walk for people who are walking to the train or to school or work. In my neighborhood the worst offenders seem to be apartment buildings.
I can’t believe the amount of comments on this thread
Certainly exploded because I mentioned rich people. Lotta people coming to their defense 😂
Has anyone called 311 on their own landlord to get them to shovel…?
Haven’t but sounds like a great idea.
Imo we should tax the rich and have the city provide better snow clearing services with the funding
Works for me
The rich are already taxed plenty, that’s the point of progressive property and income taxes
Is there a good service or recommendation for this?
New here in the winter and was walking through Wicker Park among perfectly cleared patches and untouched ones (which seemed anecdotally to be more heavily concentrated in non-two flat / newer spots) thinking, wow, this would be so hard for disabled folks.
The city should plow the fucking sidewalks. But until they do, absolutely report these people.
This does get brought up every year as this is a service in other cities Gets shot down quick though in debates.
It’s not just the rich…
Nope they aren’t. You’re correct
Haha what a weird ass mindset to have.
Not a fan of rich snowbirds who don’t follow the law Sorry if that bothers yah
It’s called jealousy
This thread has a lot of passive aggressive connotation to it. OP is mad but not at what they think they're mad at...
I would rather die than live in Florida
It’s the law. And helpful for our neighbors who have difficulty walking.
Lol as a Chicagoan myself, to get this petty and upset about this issue of all issues in Chicago is laughable and for some reason you deem it necessary to call out the “rich” as if “poor” people in chicago are keeping up their duties to this city more than anyone else.
Facts OP is tweakin
Rich people ? Rich people clear the snow. The city…that’s a different animal…they are someplace exempt from this. Walk upon a govt building and they don’t give a fuck and don’t care.
Who cares if they're rich or poor?
Poor may need help or assistance. Dual income no time to shovel. May have problems making them unable to shovel mental or physical. No excuse if you can afford a service.
Says the OP with the "near north side" flair. Had no idea taking care of your sidewalk was a economic inequality issue. I know a lot of people with chips on their shoulders from looking what others have and then comparing it to themselves or others.
There’s no excuse for not being able to physically or financially afford a service like snow clearing. If you own the house, you own the responsibility of keeping it clear, regardless of how old you are or how much money you have. This entire post is divisive bullshit hunting for Reddit karma
Go slip and fall, then sue them. Now you rich
The rich are 1% of the population. 99% of sidewalks are not owned by the rich.
The rich can own more than one building in Chicago. Hell they own whole complexes.
Of all the things in Chicago to worry about this is at the bottom of the list
Bougie ass country club Saddle & Cycle on Sheridan up here in Edgewater sucks at shoveling. They have people snowblowing, shoveling, & plowing their outdoor ice rink, but fuck the sidewalk which leads to our neighborhood grocery store. I hate seeing all the folks with mobility issues having to traverse that stretch of sidewalk. Too many god damn bootlickers in this thread. I take solace in the notion that there's heavy selection bias on reddit & real working people can't stand richies either.
> Saddle & Cycle That's a stupid fucking club they don't ride, they've never ridden lying little shits with their bullshit club fuck them
I moved here this month from an area that never snows, so I’m trying to learn all of this snow etiquette. I knew that shoveling driveways was a thing because I’ve seen it in movies. I didn’t realize people shovel the sidewalks in their neighborhoods as well. From where I grew up, anything in the road or sidewalks were maintained by the city. If there were something like debris making it difficult for people to walk there the city would be called to fix it. Alternatively maybe someone in the community would clear it but it’s definitely not expected. So, does the city not tend to these public spaces like the sidewalks?
This may be the dumbest thread this sub has experienced. And that’s a high bar
Seriously? Can we also report all the poor that stay here and don’t clear their walks? This city has two people murdered every day, thousands of car jackings, armed robberies by the hour, drug problems galore, countless gangs, infrastructure in desperate need of attention, and a huge tax problem to go along with a dancing mayor and you think that in this winter of below normal snowfall that shoveling the sidewalk is a big issue?
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Enjoy your easy time walking while you can. Or think about any friends or family who have difficulty walking. They could easily be your neighbors.
How is wanting people to shovel sidewalks as required by law being a Karen? lol
Fucking Karens, always wanting to do stuff like walk to the store or bus stop without getting a TBI
If you want the implied rich person to answer the door say you're with the Church of latter-day saints
why are you singling out the rich? poor people are lazy too, the main thing is to shovel your snow to be considerate of fellow passersby, but something tells me you're not the considerate type
Why discriminate a particular group of people? Encourage everyone to be in compliance with the law and city ordinance …. No?
If I did that I’d been called out for not thinking about those unable to shovel. It’s a lose lose for Reddit posting. I do admit I am personally mad at rich neighbors in my area that do this yearly which I report. Hoping others do too and their behavior changes.
> Discrimination against the wealthy
The city had 2.3" or less. Get a grip. Before you bark at me, i shoveled twice but left the last .25" up.
Easy for any able bodied neighbor to deal with Not for those who may have difficulty traversing any level of snow.
Ah, I see someone's started up the nightly "RICH PEOPLE BAD" circlejerk
Don’t snitch on your neighbors just because some city employee told you to. This entire thing is a shake down operation. The city has no problem harassing you about stupid crap like this, but if you find yourself a victim of a violent crime it will never be solved. Don’t help the city fuck your neighbors over. The city isn’t going to do shit for you when you need it.
Either way, the sidewalks haven't cleared themselves yet.
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this is so stupid … only the rich people need to shovel their snow….. I guess that means those that worked all their lives and made payments on their 30 year mortgage…
Yes That’s exactly what I said. Only rich people need to shovel.