Sidewalk problems?: Help is available

Each year the City of Chicago provides an opportunity for residents to participate in shared sidewalk repair program. The 2015 programs opens at 8 a.m. on Jan. 13. 

The program actually is to replace the existing sidewalk. 

This is how it works. Property owners pay per square-foot for new sidewalk. As of last year, it was $4 per square foot. The City states that that cost is well below what a private contractor would charge. 

Mark your calendar for Jan. 13, at 8 a.m. to call 311. Owner information and the property address must be provided at the time of request..

Requests will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Last year, the program was so popular that they closed it with in days. The City's website currently does not have the correct signup date on it, though they indicate that it will soon.