The Chicago City Council has approved a budget that sets aside $500,000 for a new pilot initiative aimed at clearing sidewalks in the winter months, reports Quinn Myers for Block Club Chicago.
While this funding is about half of what advocates had initially hoped for, it marks an important step forward for the “Plow the Sidewalks” project. Alderperson Daniel La Spata, a staunch supporter of the program, confirmed that the pilot will kick off in December 2025. The city plans to pursue additional grants and philanthropic donations to further support the initiative.
Earlier this month, disability rights groups expressed frustration after the mayor’s budget proposal omitted the program entirely. A report from a working group in May had recommended launching the sidewalk clearing effort in four test zones. Proponents argue that this program is vital for ensuring accessibility and mobility, particularly for individuals with disabilities, parents with strollers, and pedestrians of all kinds, especially during harsh winter months.
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