Department of Streets and Sanitation
Coverage of Department of Streets and Sanitation in the Nexus archive.
- Chicago’s Infamous Rat Problem Won’t Go Away Under Current Plan, Audit Finds
An audit by Chicago's Office of Inspector General found the city's rodent abatement program prioritizes reactive poisoning of rats over proactive solutions like monitoring sanitation and addressing infestation root causes. The report criticized the Department of Streets and Sanitation's Bureau of Rodent Control for not implementing Integrated Pest Management standards, though the department claims recent improvements. Rat complaints have decreased since a pandemic-era spike but remain a persistent issue.
- South Siders Still Waiting For Tree Cleanup After June Storms, But City Departments Are ‘Overwhelmed’
South Side residents in Chicago are still waiting for tree cleanup after severe June storms, with over 9,200 open tree-related service requests as of June 25. City departments, including the Department of Streets and Sanitation, are working extended hours to address the backlog but remain overwhelmed due to the volume of damage. Specific neighborhoods like Beverly, Morgan Park, and the 8th Ward report the highest numbers of unresolved requests.
- Beverly, Morgan Park See Flooding, Power Outages After Latest Bout Of Severe Storms
A severe storm caused flooding and power outages in Beverly and Morgan Park, leaving 1,800 homes initially without power and damaging infrastructure including street lights and trees. City crews addressed the damage, and officials urged residents to report storm-related issues.
- More ‘Severe’ Weather Headed To Chicago After Week Of Damaging Storms, Weather Service Says
Chicago faces another round of severe storms after last week's damaging weather caused widespread power outages and infrastructure damage. The National Weather Service warns of 'strong to severe' storms on Tuesday and Wednesday, with significant rainfall expected. Over 45,000 residents were without power as of Friday, and nearly 700 traffic signals were damaged in previous storms.
- City Working ‘Tirelessly’ To Fix Storm Damage, Mayor Says, As Thousands Await Restored Power
Chicago officials reported widespread damage from severe thunderstorms, with over 45,000 residents without power and thousands of fallen trees disrupting infrastructure. Mayor Brandon Johnson emphasized city crews are working to restore power and clear roads, though full recovery is expected to take over a week.
- Mayor Johnson urges parents to act as city prepares for more potential teen gatherings
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson urged parents to prevent unauthorized teen gatherings as the city blocked access to Rainbow Beach following reports of planned large meetups. The call comes after two previous teen events led to over 50 arrests and injuries to police officers, with President Donald Trump criticizing local leaders. Faith and youth leaders are organizing alternative events to deter teen attendance.