The thing I love about Chicago winter is that the city keeps going despite the snow and -5 degree temperatures. People are still out and about, walking and biking, and I get to break out my galoshes, which are indispensable in this weather. I think a vibrant street full of people feels all the more vibrant when the sidewalks are covered in snow -- and people don't let it stop them.

Unfortunately, the snow and ice can make it more difficult to get around, and it does stop some people from going out. If I sometimes have trouble getting around as a healthy 27-year-old, then I can only imagine the difficulty for senior citizens and the disabled. That's why it's so important that our sidewalks be cleared of ice and snow. While the city plows our streets, they don't see the necessity in keeping our sidewalks clear. The City of Chicago requires all property owners to clear the snow in front of their own property: