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(Patty Wetli / WTTW News)
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By Patty Wetli: Chicago tallied slightly less than 3 inches of snow on Wednesday, but you’d think there’d been a blizzard judging by all the salt on the ground.
Walking to work Thursday, as I crossed the Foster Avenue bridge over the Chicago River, I swear the salt underfoot was actually deeper than the snow. In fact, at first I thought the white stuff WAS snow, it was so thick.
I’ve written about the environmental issues associated with the over-use of road salt and other de-icers before, but it’s been a minute. Sometimes I forget that just because I’ve reported on something once, doesn’t mean the message reached everyone.
The problems include run-off getting into and contaminating our waterways — which in turn adversely affects the health of wildlife — and also the corrosive effects of chemicals on infrastructure.
So with more wintry weather in the forecast this weekend, here’s a reminder that when it comes to salting walkways, a little “seasoning” goes a long way.
Twelve ounces of salt is enough to cover a 20-foot driveway or 250 square feet of sidewalk, while still keeping surfaces safe for pedestrians, according to the Salt Smart Collaborative, a group led by the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District. If there’s salt left on the ground after the ice has melted, you’ve used too much.
Our condo building recently bought some handheld shakers that work like a charm in evenly distributing de-icer. And yes, it takes an extra step to take the ice melt from the bag and put it in the shakers, but the environment will thank you for your effort.
So tell us, readers, are there any heavy salters in your neighborhood?
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Inspector General Deborah Witzburg appears on “Chicago Tonight” on June 4, 2024. (WTTW News)
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Chicago’s ethics ordinance should be tightened to stop the city’s top lawyer from intervening in ongoing probes that risk “embarrassment or political consequences” for city leaders, Chicago’s watchdog urged the Chicago City Council. In a 17-page letter, Inspector General Deborah Witzburg blasted the city’s Law Department for slowing her office’s work to root out waste, fraud and abuse at City Hall.
The key quote: “The throughline of these concerns is the appearance – and at times the reality – that the DOL (Department of Law) selectively acts in opposition to the OIG’s (Office of the Inspector General) investigative work when OIG’s work may result in embarrassment or political consequences for city leaders,” Witzburg wrote.
The background: The blistering letter, which condemned conduct under both former Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Mayor Brandon Johnson, comes after Witzburg released an audit that detailed repeated efforts by the mayor’s staff to hinder her probe into the mayor’s acceptance of gifts on behalf of the city.
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Andrea Kersten, chief administrator of Chicago’s Civilian Office of Police Accountability, appears on “Chicago Tonight” on June 28, 2023. (WTTW News)
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The head of the agency charged with investigating police misconduct resigned abruptly Thursday after a four-year tenure punctuated by high-profile controversies amid halting efforts by the Chicago Police Department to hold its officers responsible for misconduct.
Kersten was one of three Chicago department heads to resign within an hour on Thursday. The group also included Jamie Rhee, commissioner of the Department of Aviation, and Jose Tirado, executive director of the Office of Emergency Management and Communications.
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More From WTTW News
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Republicans are backing a bill that would require proof of citizenship to vote. Opponents say the SAVE Act could negatively impact married women and transgender people. Producer Shelby Hawkins has more.
Ravinia Festival announced Thursday a comprehensive renovation of its 36–acre park and venues in north suburban Highland Park. Take a look at the plans.
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Back in the Day: February 14, 1990 - Chicago’s Valentine’s Day Snowstorm
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Chicago was hit with snow this week but it was nothing like 35 years ago when, as the Chicago Tribune put it, “a fierce combination of relentless winds and biting snow” rocked the city on Valentine’s Day. A record for the date 8.3 inch snowfall fell on February 14, 1990. Commuters reported traffic holdups, horrific driving conditions and a journey from downtown to Belmont Avenue taking two hours — normally a 15-minute drive. Legendary WGN Meteorologist Tom Skilling remembers it here. “Restaurants were plagued by no-shows and canceled dinners and many Valentine’s bouquets went undelivered,” he said. “Downstate, the storm produced freezing rain and sleet, encasing much of central Illinois in ice. Ironically, highs reached the middle 50s in Chicago on both February 12 and 13, preceding the paralyzing snowstorm.”
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Nature Calls: This Week’s Outdoorsy Events and Activities
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Each Friday, WTTW News science and nature reporter Patty Wetli tells you how to get outside.
It snowed! Who knows if it will again? So let's all cram an entire season of skiing, sledding and snowshoeing into a single weekend. Just be sure to check availability before you go: The popular Mount Hoy tubing hill — mentioned on pretty much every “best of” list — is closed for the season.
For sledding, check out: Cricket Hill in Lincoln Park, the Big Hill at Horner Park and hills at Cook County forest preserves including Caldwell Woods, Dan Ryan Woods and Swallow Cliff Woods (minimum of 6 inches
needed). There’s even an area for snowboarders at Dan Ryan Woods.
If you’d love to try cross-country skiing or snowshoeing, but don’t have the gear, fear not, there are rental options:
- The closest thing the Chicago area has to a ski “resort” is Sagawau Nordic in Lemont, which is the alter-ego of the Sagawau Environmental Learning Center whenever there’s a good amount of snow cover. Sagawau not only offers ski rentals but also lessons; advance reservations required.
Looking for something a little more relaxing? Here you go:
Join the Great Backyard Bird Count, Feb. 14-17. Just choose a spot and spend at least 15 minutes there recording all the species of birds you see and/or hear. The Cornell Bird Lab has all the info on how to log your observations.
Check out the spring flower shows, which just opened at the Lincoln Park and Garfield Park conservatories. Reservations are required.
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It’s Valentine’s Day Friday. What’s the most romantic place in Chicago?
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Email DailyChicagoan@wttw.com with your responses and your answers might be published.
Here's what you had to say this week:
It’s sitting on the deck of Café Brauer near sunset, watching the birds fly over the pond, and seeing the orange glow reflect off the skyline. My husband and I are celebrating 30 years of marriage this year and THAT is where we ended our wedding night. Simply. Beautiful. Chicago. -Grace Winston
The North and South Gardens at the Art Institiute - Shane Matthew M. Garcia
Montrose Harbor - Jake C. Ruff
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5:30 PM | 7:00 PM
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Want more WTTW News content? Follow WTTW on Instagram to check in with us daily, go behind-the-scenes, and more.
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Newsletter Producer: Josh Terry
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