City officials advise Chicagoans to take precautions this winter

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and several city agencies, including the Office of Emergency Management and Communications and Department of Public Health, are reminding Chicagoans to stay safe this winter and take advantage of the city's services when necessary. 

“As Chicagoans, we all know a thing or two about winters; however, with the COVID-19 pandemic, this season poses unique challenges for everyone,” Lightfoot said in a city news release. “Regardless, our shared mission to keep our city running and all our neighborhoods safe remains the same, with our outreach and support services encompassing all our residents, particularly our most vulnerable, to make sure folks receive the resources they need and deserve throughout the winter months.”

The Office of Emergency Management and Communications, which manages the city's emergency responses, offers several options to receive alerts and notifications. Residents can sign up to receive alerts at www.NotifyChicago.org, text CHILAKE to 7-8-0-1-5 for lakefront notices, text COVID19 to 6-7-2-8-3 for COVID-19 updates and text CHIBIZ to 6-7-2-8-3 for updates on businesses. More tips on staying prepared for the winter can be found at chicago.gov/oemc.

Chicago's overnight parking ban, which goes into effect each winter, began Dec. 1 and will last through April 1, 2021. The ban is enforced between the hours of 3 a.m. and 7 a.m. daily, whether or not there is snow. Violators are subject to a $60 ticket, a towing fee of at least $150 and a daily storage fee of $25.

The city's Department of Public Health advises residents to limit their time outdoors, wear layers of warm clothing and keep an eye out for signs of hypothermia and frostbite. Because Chicago remains under a stay-at-home advisory, residents are reminded that they should only leave their homes to go to school, work or an essential need; practice social distancing; avoid in-home gatherings; wear a face covering and avoid traveling out of state unless strictly necessary.

Other city recommendations for the winter include watching the forecast, winterizing vehicles and preventing frozen pipes by circulating warm air and keeping a trickle of water running.