The Department of Streets and Sanitation deployed more than 280 snow plows and salt spreaders to Chicago streets Monday afternoon after a weather system brought sleet, freezing rain and high winds to the Chicago area.
"This is somewhat of a unique storm because you’ve had everything—you’ve had sleet, snow and now rain," said Commissioner Charles L. Williams with the Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation. "We've had it all and that’s what makes it so treacherous."
Illinois Department of Transportation spokesperson Gianna Urgo warned drivers to slow down because of black ice. She added that residents should also avoid crowding plow trucks.
"Just because you can see them, it doesn't mean they can see you,” Urgo said.
Authorities said weather may have been a factor in a crash in a southwest Chicago suburb between a train and a car. Two people died and three were injured in the Hometown pin-in accident.
At 6:30 p.m., the city said it has moved its snow plows and salt spreaders into neighborhoods to clear residential streets.
To track the city's snow fleet in real time, visit this site.
