Department by department, here is information provided by the City at a conference call with several department heads at 9 p.m. on Feb. 1:
Streets and Sanitation, Suzette Robinson, director
Snow parking bans and regulations remain in effect.
All 22 large snow plows and trucks are clearing the primary routes and will continue to do so until the snow stops. Afterward, the trucks will begin to clear the residential areas.
High winds and reduced visibility have resulted in the closure, effective at 10 p.m. tonight, Feb. 1, of Sheridan Road from its southern border with the City of Chicago up along the lake front to Chicago Avenue. City crews are working to keep Chicago Avenue between South Boulevard and Howard Street open, as similar drifting and low visibility causing problems there.
Beginning at 11 p.m. tonight, Feb. 1, snow taken from the downtown area will be melted in the City’s snow-melter, which will be taken to Dawes Park.
Parks/Recreation, Doug Gaynor, director
All community centers except Robert Crown have been shut down for the night. Crown Center will remain open, as at least one person has sought shelter there. Community centers offering day care – Crown and Fleetwood-Jourdain – will open as usual tomorrow. Other community centers will open at 10 a.m., for children who will be out of school tomorrow due to School District 65 school closings.
Parking, Ricky Voss, manager
The downtown garages remain open for those who need to park their cars to avoid towing. (See earlier update).
Other Departments: Health, Utilities, Police and Fire and Life Safety
The health department (Evonda Thomas, director) and the utilities department (Dave Stoneback, director) had nothing unusual to report. Police Chief Richard Eddington and Fire Chief Greg Klaiber both reported low numbers of calls. Chief Eddington said his department was prepared to handle any towing necessary for the City to clear the roads. Chief Klaiber said a reserve engine and ambulance #23 were ready, and personnel who were to be called back are already in town. He urged residents to stay home tonight and tomorrow.