Shoveling is the Law in Algonquin

The five inches or so of snow that fell in Algonquin must be cleared from sidewalks within the next 24 hours under the village’s ordinance code.

And it’s a code that's enforced.

Building Inspector Diane Lacalamita is one of two inspectors who handles complaints about sidewalks that have not been shoveled.

“We do enforcement on a complaint basis,” Lacalamita said. “But if we are doing one property, we will do the whole area.”

Lacalamita said the code reads: “any person occupying a property within the Village shall remove snow and ice accumulating on the adjoining sidewalks within 24 hours after any snowfall has ceased. If snow and ice cannot be removed, the surface shall be sanded or otherwise treated to lessen the hazard for pedestrians until the climate permits removal.”

Snow cannot be blown or shoveled into public streets, the code states.

Lacalamita knows Lake in the Hills and Wheaton have a similar code but does not think it is very common.

Recently, the village had a complaint from a jogger who gave inspectors a list with six addresses of homes that had not been shoveled, she said. The snowy sidewalks made jogging difficult, she said.

“Typically, we put a note on the front door that we received a concern about the sidewalk not being maintained and please take care of it in the next 24 hours,” Lacalamita said. “It usually does the trick.”

If sidewalks are not cleared, homeowners or businesses face a ticket and a fine between $25 to $1,000, she said.

Algonquin works with people who have can’t get around or have medical conditions, she said. The village use to have volunteers but most people make arrangements if they can’t do it themselves.

Inspectors have issued plenty of notices this year but have issued no written citations.