Plainfield Residents Voice Concerns Over Snow Removal

The blizzard that hit Chicagoland over the weekend was one for the record books, dropping more than 19 inches in some areas and 13.5 inches in Plainfield.

Days after the storm — and as more snow began to fall Wednesday — some residents were voicing their concern with the Village of Plainfield’s snow removal efforts.

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Mayor Mike Collins said village officials have been “inundated” with calls from residents upset about plowing efforts.

“I’ve fielded a lot of calls myself,” said Collins, saying he understands the frustration from some residents.

Citizens also took to Facebook, posting complaints to the village’s Public Works page, as well on Plainfield Patch’s page.

“It took 42 hours from the start of the snowfall until a plow showed up on my block! Are you kidding me???” one resident wrote. “ ... You knew a blizzard was coming, where is your planning?”

A day after the snowfall, another resident wrote, “Haven’t seen one plow truck yet. According to the public works voicemail all (roads) would have one pass by 4:00 pm today.”

Collins said the village’s public works crews have been working 16-hour days in an effort to clear local roads. Prior to the blizzard, the village hired four private contractors to help out with anticipated snow removal needs, he added, saying that after the storm, the village hired four additional contractors for a total of eight.

While he expressed disappointment with the performance of some of the private contractors, Collins praised the efforts of public works employees.

“I just can’t say enough about the staff,” he said. “These guys have been putting out their best.”

Even so, faced with complaints from residents, “I can certainly see their position,” Collins said. “Patience only goes so far.”

Public Works Director Allen Persons did not immediately return a call from Patch on Wednesday.

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