Mayor Lightfoot Reminds Chicago She's The Anti-Dibs Mayor

CHICAGO — City officials on Thursday issued their annual reminder: Winter is coming, and residents aren't alone. They offered tips and text alerts aimed at helping Chicagoans prepare and for and react to bad weather and public heath emergencies during cold weather.

"As Chicagoans, we all know a thing or two about winters, however with the COVID-19 pandemic, this season poses unique challenges for everyone," Mayor Lori Lightfoot said. "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."

City officials urged residents to sign up for "Notify Chicago" emergency alerts and text updates on inclement weather, business restrictions, lakefront flooding and the state of coronavirus in the city. Folks can text "CHILAKE" for flood warnings, and "CHIBIZ" and "COVID19" respectively for city updates on business and coronavirus restrictions.

Streets and sanitation commissioner John Tully reminded residents to abide by the city's winter overnight parking bans, which went into effect this week. A map of impacted streets is available at Chicagoshovels.org, where people can also find out if their car has been towed.

"Our top priority is keeping the city safe during a winter storm," Tully said. "Residents can best help us by slowing down when driving and following posted parking restriction signs."

As for the Chicagoans' longtime tradition of using busted furniture and other junk to lay claim on street parking spaces they shoveled out on their block, Lightfoot held steadfast to her "anti-dibs" stance.

"As someone who has spent time digging out my car before I had access to a garage I absolutely understand it. But the problem with dibs is ... when there's a new snow fall, and we need to clean the street the dibs get in the way," she said. "I don't encourage dibs. I understand it's a longstanding Chicago tradition. ... I understand why people do it. But we don't encourage it."

More information on winter preparedness in Chicago is available online at chicago.gov/oemc.

This article originally appeared on the Chicago Patch