Attention all Chicago residents: say goodbye to winter grime and hello to street sweeping – but don't forget to move your car! Today marks the start of the city’s street cleaning season, as the Department of Streets and Sanitation's fleet of street sweepers hit the roads to tackle litter and debris. The sweepers will be making their rounds until mid-November, operating from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekdays, according to a FOX 32 Chicago report.
"Residents are reminded to check the schedule and be on the lookout for signs, so they can move their cars on time and avoid being ticketed," the DSS urged in statement. For those caught unawares by the sweeping schedule, the city offers a real-time Sweeper Tracker online tool, and street cleaning information is available on the City of Chicago website or by simply dialing 3-1-1. As outlined in an article by WBBM Newsradio, warning signs will be posted 48 hours in advance, and some locations will have permanent signage to remind parkers of the cleaning days.
In addition to one-time alerts, some streets feature permanent signs indicating that parking is restricted for street cleaning either once a week or on two specific days each month. This is an effort to ensure that vehicle owners have ample opportunity to move their vehicles and avoid the hassles of a tow, as highlighted by WGN TV. "Some streets also have permanently posted signs that specify either a once-per-week or two-days-per-month period when parking is prohibited for street sweeping," the Department of Streets and Sanitation stated.
Despite the start date falling on April Fool’s Day, there's no joke here for Chicago drivers. Street sweeping is a seasonal routine that calls for attention to detail, and a watchful eye for those brightly colored warnings. The city's efforts to sweep away the remnants of winter is a sure sign that spring has sprung, but it also brings with it the all-too-familiar dance of car shuffling to avoid fines. Don't be the one who gets caught sleeping when they’re sweeping—stay ahead of the game and heed the signs.
