(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — While Chicago has not been crippled by the major snow affecting other parts of the state and the East Coast, some officials here are still anxious to begin a proposed pilot program to have the City plow sidewalks in some areas.
36th Ward Alderman Gilbert Villegas was an original sponsor of a pilot snow removal program that would make the City of Chicago responsible for shoveling sidewalks.
Villegas says the plan was almost a casualty of the budget crunch.
“As a result of the budget and some of the issues that we’re facing with the budget, the mayor decided to go ahead and shelve it for now,” Villegas said.
“However, my understanding is that based on Alderman La Spata, that potentially there’s half a million dollars that could potentially come up in the new year that would be voted on.”
The pilot program Villegas originally proposed would have spent at least $1 million to have City Workers shovel snow from sidewalks in some areas. That’s usually the responsibility of homeowners and businesses along the streets.