The City of Chicago is already in danger of blowing out its 2014 budget for snow removal.
The Department of Streets and Sanitation has spent $11.2 million to plow and salt city streets since it began snowing on Dec. 31.
Around $10.2 million of that figure comes out of the 2014 budget, almost half of the $20.3 million earmarked for the entire year. The remaining $1 million will come out of the 2013 budget.
The breakdown of costs is:
- Labor: $2.5 million
- Salt: 7.2 million
- Equipment: $1.5 million
An estimated 23 inches of snow has dropped on the Chicago area since Dec. 31.
DSS crews are now concentrating efforts on clearing side streets.