Snowfall may trigger parking restrictions

After a two-inch snowfall, the Emergency Snow Removal Parking Plan goes into effect and the following parking rules are enforced seven days a week, including holidays:

• Main streets posted as snow routes must be cleared of all parked cars. These include Augusta Street, Austin Boulevard, Chicago Avenue, Division Street, Garfield Street, Harlem Avenue, Harrison Street, Jackson Boulevard, Lake Street, Madison Street, North Avenue, Oak Park Avenue, Ridgeland Avenue, Roosevelt Road and Wisconsin Avenue from Madison Street to the emergency entrance of Rush Oak Park Hospital.
• Non-snow route streets allow parking between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. on the side of the street with even numbered addresses on even days and the side of the street with odd numbered addresses on odd days.
• Designated commercial parking areas as posted follow the odd/even rule between midnight and 8 a.m.
• Snow parking rules do not override other parking regulations, such as time limitations and prohibitions.
• Vehicles parked in violation of the snow restrictions are subject to ticketing and towing.

Residents are urged to monitor local forecasts and plan accordingly. To find out if snow-related parking restrictions are in effect, call 708.358.7669 for a recorded message. Cable television subscribers can tune into VOP-TV, available on Comcast channel 6 and AT&T channel 99. Residents also can sign up for alerts at www.oak-park.us/notifyme. Efforts also are made to post timely information to the Village’s social media sites, www.faceook.com/vopnews and www.twitter.com/vopnews. The snow emergency parking rules and a list of frequently asked questions also are posted at www.oak-park.us/snow.

Sidewalk shoveling required…Residents and businesses are urged to help improve walking conditions and public safety by removing snow and ice from sidewalks after a storm. Village ordinance requires snow and ice to be removed from the public sidewalk within 24 hours following any snow, sleet or freezing rain. If the snow or ice has become so hard that it cannot be removed without damaging the sidewalk, then sand, salt or other abrasive material may be used to make pedestrian travel reasonably safe. Being a good neighbor is important, too, so property owners are urged to help those who may need help clearing a sidewalk. Failure to clear a sidewalk fronting or abutting one’s property could lead to a ticket and fine. For more information on the shoveling requirement or help finding resources, call 708.358.5700 or email publicworks@oak-park.us.