Latest news with #DepartmentofStreetsandSanitation
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Rat infestations causing thousands of dollars worth of damage to Chicago cars — how to pest-proof your vehicle
The last thing Chicagoans expect when they lift the hood of their car is a literal rat's nest. But rodents do enjoy curling up in warm spaces and chewing on any available wires, which makes nestling in the engine block of your vehicle a cozy spot. And, much to the chagrin of residents, rats have been making themselves at home in vehicles all over the Windy City. Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 5 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Nervous about the stock market in 2025? Find out how you can access this $1B private real estate fund (with as little as $10) Once in your vehicle, rats can do a lot of damage. In one case, they caused more than $1,200 in damage to Koren Baker's vehicle in the Irving Park East neighborhood. 'Whoa, that's too much money to pay for just a rat,' Baker said in an interview with ABC 7 Eyewitness News Chicago. Reports of rat infestations are racing up the list of complaints for the Department of Streets and Sanitation to deal with. Between April 2024 and April 2025, there were 43,400 complaints about rodents or rats to Chicago's 311 hotline. That's a 6.6% decrease in the average number of complaints from 2022 to 2024. Rats often climb under plastic covers within car engines, destroy any available foam, build a nest, and chew through any easily accessible wires. It's a problem that master technician Mark Ferjak, of Berman Infiniti Chicago, has seen often. In addition to chewed wires, rodents leave their feces behind. Naturally, finding a rat under the hood — dead or alive — comes as a shock to car owners. "I was very surprised, because I didn't know it could be that big in the engine,' Koren Baker told ABC 7. 'And we had been driving around with it for that many days.' Further investigation showed that the rats chewed Baker's insulation and made a little home out of it. 'You can see how they'll take the insulation, chew it up, make a little nest, and then actually, here you can see the excrement,' Ferjak pointed out. 'That is a lot, there, and it looks like they were there for a long time.' While rats can find their way into your car, regardless of where you are in the city, the neighborhoods with people ratting out the pests include West Town, Lake View and Portage Park. Read more: This is how American car dealers use the '4-square method' to make big profits off you — and how you can ensure you pay a fair price for all your vehicle costs Pest control experts have seen a sharp rise in the rat numbers in recent years. "The population explosion of rats (that) has outweighed our efforts — collectively — to control them, is the bottom line of it,' certified pest management professional Janelle Iaccino with Rose Pest Solution said. 'Coming out of the pandemic, the rats became widespread, not just residential areas, but commercial areas, too, and we can't keep up with it. Their breeding is out of control.' There are some cost-effective ways to prevent rats from nesting in your car. This means thinking beyond just your car. Ensure garbage cans in or around your garage or parking area are sealed, and if possible, avoid parking near any garbage bins, which attract rodents. You can double-check the seal on your garage as rodents can flatten their bodies and squeeze through holes the size of a quarter. Also, store dog food, bird seed or grass seed in tightly sealed containers to avoid attracting vermin. If you do smell a rat, Chicago residents can call 311. The city services team can help to set traps or bait the area. Those willing to take protection measures another step further, consider signing up for a rodent control package. These services cost between $40 to $100 per month, which can be an offer that gives peace of mind. If ongoing expenses are not in your budget, consider wrapping a rodent-repellent tape around car wires. The tape is infused with capsaicin or peppermint and costs around $50 per roll. For residents of rat-infested areas, adding pest control costs to their monthly budget might be a necessary expense. Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan 'works every single time' to kill debt, get rich in America — and that 'anyone' can do it Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Robert Kiyosaki warns of a 'Greater Depression' coming to the US — with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 'easy-money' assets will bring in 'great wealth'. How to get in now Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Chicago street cleaning season returns this week
The Brief Chicago's street cleaning season begins tomorrow, with sweepers removing debris and litter from city streets through mid-November. The Department of Streets and Sanitation will post warning signs 48 hours in advance to remind residents to move their cars and avoid tickets. Residents can check the cleaning schedule on the city's website or track sweepers in real time using the Sweeper Tracker tool. CHICAGO - Chicago's annual street cleaning season kicks off tomorrow, with city sweepers set to clear debris and litter from neighborhood streets through mid-November. The backstory Starting tomorrow, sweepers will begin making their rounds across the city, removing debris and litter from the streets. The Department of Streets and Sanitation will hang warning signs 48 hours before the sweepers are scheduled to be on your street. Street cleaning season lasts through mid-November with sweepers active on weekdays, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. What you can do 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 schedule for the 2025 street cleaning season can be found on the City of Chicago website. Residents can view street sweepers in real-time using the Sweeper Tracker online tool and requests can be made to city's request line at 3-1-1. The Source The information in this report came from the Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation.
Yahoo
15-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Chicago snowplows to focus on residential streets Saturday
CHICAGO - The Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation said its snowplow fleet will begin to focus on clearing residential streets on Saturday after another round of snowfall on Friday. The efforts come after another couple of inches of snow fell across the Chicago area late Friday and more snow is expected later on Saturday. What we know Since Friday afternoon, the city's salt spreading vehicles have been deployed to treat main roads to ensure safe travel across the city, especially for emergency vehicles. The city's Department of Streets and Sanitation oversees more than 9,400 lane miles of roadway. Crews also have salt at various locations across the city to ensure efficient service. What to expect A brief wintry mix is also possible south of Interstate 80 on Saturday afternoon and into the evening, according to the National Weather Service. Tonight, there is still a risk of some light snow and flurries with an additional inch possible. The NWS Chicago office said waves of snow are expected throughout Sunday as well, although there will be hours of dry weather in between. What you can do Residents are able to track the city's snowplow fleet in real time at To receive real-time weather updates and emergency notifications, residents can sign up at
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Chicago snowstorm: City, suburbs prepare for wicked weather
The Brief Chicago and suburban residents are preparing for a major winter storm expected to bring up to seven inches of snow. The city is deploying 300 salt trucks and has 425,000 tons of salt ready for use. Several schools have shifted to e-learning due to the anticipated snowfall. CHICAGO - As a winter storm approaches, Chicagoans are stocking up on supplies. Snow Preperations Chicago's Department of Streets and Sanitation is preparing to deploy 300 salt trucks on Wednesday, as hazardous road conditions are expected. The department has also stationed 425,000 tons of salt at various locations across the city. Outside the Home Depot in Avondale, shoppers were seen loading carts with salt and shovels. "I've got a lot of salt stowed and shovels. I'm going home early now so that I can deal with it in the morning," said Mark Lang, one of the many residents preparing for the storm. Forecast The heaviest snowfall is expected to begin around 10 a.m., with the afternoon and evening commutes being the biggest concern. In response, the city's overnight winter parking ban will be in effect from 3 a.m. to 7 a.m. What you can do Authorities recommend taking extra precautions, including winterizing vehicles and knowing the signs of frostbite and hypothermia. Residents should also check local school and work policies, as several schools have already announced a shift to e-learning in anticipation of the storm. For more on school closings, click here. The Source Nate Rodgers gathered information in this article from city departments along with residents.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Chicago weather: Freezing rain to cause slick roads ahead of another winter storm this weekend
The Brief A Winter Weather Advisory is in place for all of Chicagoland until 6 a.m. Thursday. Freezing rain will move in this evening, creating hazardous travel conditions. Warmer temperatures Thursday will help melt any ice, but another wintry system is possible Saturday. CHICAGO - Chicagoland is under a Winter Weather Advisory until early Thursday morning as freezing rain moves into the area. Roads, bridges, and overpasses are expected to become slick and hazardous, with conditions deteriorating quickly after 6-7 p.m. What we know The freezing precipitation will spread from south to north, reaching as far as the Wisconsin border by 8 p.m. While most areas are only expected to receive less than a tenth of an inch of ice, that will be enough to create slippery conditions for drivers and pedestrians. The system will move out overnight, with precipitation ending from west to east after midnight. Temperatures will climb into the lower 40s on Thursday, helping to melt any remaining ice by midday. Slippery roads, bridges and overpasses are a major concern during this winter storm. Authorities are advising commuters and motorists to prepare for travel delays and road closures during their commutes through Thursday morning. Chicago's Department of Streets and Sanitation deployed salt spreaders to treat city streets early on Wednesday. The Illinois Tollway is reminding drivers to slow down and stay alert. They'll have a full fleet of nearly 200 plows de-icing roads. In addition, South Shore train lines issued an advisory saying ice can adversely impact tracks, overhead wires and other mechanical components. As a result, icebreaker trains were being sent out. Train operations, however, are expected to proceed as scheduled. ComEd is also adding additional crews, preparing for ice that could potentially interrupt power lines. Timeline Tonight (Wednesday): Freezing rain moves in this evening, making untreated roads slippery after 6-7 p.m. Precipitation will taper off after midnight. Thursday: Morning cloud cover gives way to partly cloudy skies in the afternoon. Highs in the lower 40s will melt any remaining ice. Friday: Mostly cloudy with highs in the lower 30s. Saturday: Another wintry system is possible, with the potential for freezing rain. Highs near the freezing mark. Super Bowl Sunday: Mostly cloudy and cold, with highs in the upper 20s to near 30 degrees. What's next Drivers and pedestrians should use caution tonight and early Thursday morning, as icy conditions could make travel dangerous. Forecasters are also closely watching a winter storm on Saturday that could bring another round of freezing rain to the area. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday will be fairly quiet with partly to mostly cloudy skies and highs in the 20s to low 30s. The Source The information in this article was provided by FOX 32's Chief Meteorologist Emily Wahls.
