Winter storm causes spinouts on Chicago area expressways, necessitates big cleanup elsewhere
LAKE FOREST, Ill. (CBS) -- The snowstorm that socked the Chicago area Wednesday caused some crashes and spinouts on the roads — particularly in Chicago's north suburbs.
On the Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Wednesday afternoon, a number of cars were seen in ditches off the road near Touhy Avenue, and a semi-trailer truck was involved in a crash with a sport-utility vehicle. The airbag was deployed in the SUV.
Meanwhile, six cars spun out on I-294 alone within a period of 10 minutes.
Farther north on I-94 near the Wisconsin state line, a semi-trailer truck jackknifed. The icy roads and blowing snow made driving near Wadsworth dangerous.
Tow trucks were out in force, as were Illinois Department of Transportation plow trucks — which pretreated the roads so that mostly wet snow was on the ground as the afternoon rush began.
However, the roads as a whole were not especially clogged or treacherous during the afternoon rush, as a lot of people stayed home Wednesday. And anyone heading out knew to take it slow.
"You just got to roll with it," a man said at a gas station. "We're in Chicago. What did they say, 3 to 6 inches?"
"The majority of people are driving safe," a woman added. "I highly recommend if anyone is trying to speed, not to do that. It's not the safest."
The snowstorm Wednesday hit in two waves — it slowed down around the time of the afternoon rush, but after sunset, the second round moved in. Plow trucks were out, and drivers did their best in the wet, slick stuff.
Those on the road Wednesday evening included fans coming into the city to watch the Bulls take on the Detroit Pistons at the United Center. Bulls fans did not face many issues as they came into the city heading to the game, but with the continued snowfall, they were hoping it would be clear sailing when they left.
"I'm hoping to get home safely," said the woman, who was headed to the game.
Crews struggle to keep roads clear in Lake Forest
On surface streets, cleanup in some areas hit hard by the snow is expected to last a couple of days. One such area is Lake Forest, where crews late Wednesday were already preparing for the second snowstorm coming this weekend.
Repeatedly in Lake Forest Wednesday, very light waves of snow would pick up significantly throughout day. Thus, as fast as crews went in to plow, the roads got blanketed again in a matter of minutes.
Visibility was near zero.
The result was a stop-and-go situation for drivers, who were in most cases using caution and slowing down. But there were still spin outs, where some vehicles are simply not equipped to travel on the slush-covered roadways.
The Lake Forest Public Works Department said it had about 10 plows on the roads as of 4 p.m., focusing on main streets and city parking lots. The department also had about 20 workers dispersed in the area clearing sidewalks and maintaining city buildings.
Late Wednesday, Lake Forest Public Works said the best way for the community to help was to stay home. Crews said the last thing they need is for someone to get stuck in the snowy conditions and then cause an obstruction where their workers can't get through.
"We'll have 35 crew members in after 1 a.m. taking care of all the priorities around Lake Forest," said Matt Brugoni, street supervisor for the City of Lake Forest. "We are looking at an additional couple inches Friday into Saturday, so then we'll do a full cleanup of downtown and the whole town Saturday night into Sunday morning."
Meanwhile in nearby Highland Park, the snow was ruthless at times — coming down at such a rapid pace that it also hindered cleanup efforts.
The snow also put a dent in foot traffic at some of the small businesses in town.
Drybar Louys Salon saw a lot of hair appointment cancellations and ended up closing early.
"It's kind of bad for the business. We're closing early. We were supposed to close at 5, but we're closing at 2 today," said Sabah Namato, owner of Drybar Louys Salon.
Food-related businesses were banking on takeout and delivery orders, and kids being out of school.
"Today, I thought with the schools closed, we would get some kids running around—instead of coming in at 3:30 and 4 after school, I thought they would be a little earlier today," said Kevin Roth, owner New York Slices pizzeria. "So far, it's been kind of slow, but it's going to pick up."
"Listen, this is Chicago, like I mentioned, and this should be par for the course in February," said Jake Melle, general manager of Barnyard Grill.
Gurnee, Waukegan get walloped
Farther north in Gurnee, plows were scarce through the evening on O'Plaine Road — main thoroughfare. Close to 4 inches of snow hit Gurnee by rush hour Wednesday.
Joe Sivia of Gurnee had to dust off his snowblower for the first time this season.
"I just spent the entire day fixing it," Sivia said.
But others in Gurnee and elsewhere in Lake County ended up with far more harrowing tasks, as the snow created hazardous conditions for drivers.
One United States Post Office van ended up in a ditch. Other cars also fell victim to the snow, as tow trucks responded to calls countywide.
Waukegan Public Works Supt. Alonzo Jenkins and his team of 32 plow trucks were tending to roads at rush hour. Their focus was to salt intersections, hills and curbs, while they also cleared roads for the morning commute.
"What we're doing is making sure that the drivers are pushing it from the center all the way to the curb," Jenkins said. "We have low temperatures coming tonight. We want to make sure all the snow and slush is off the roads so it won't refreeze."
Overall, Jenkins said the snow was less than expected. Sivia even welcomed the continuous buildup on his driveway.
"Nothing special about this one," Jenkins said. "Actually, we needed it!"
Waukegan Public Works said its crews will be out until around midnight Wednesday night, or even 1 a.m., to make sure the roads are not frozen over for Thursday morning.
Gurnee Public Works said it will have crews in early in the morning to clear up roads like O'Plaine Road.
Sledding and digging out parking spaces in Chicago
Every resident of the Chicago area knows the drill — snow plows hit the expressways and main roads first before they make it to the side streets.
The consequence was that on Wednesday evening, some side streets remained unplowed — including Evergreen Avenue in Wicker Park. On that stretch of Evergreen Avenue where writer Nelson Algren once lived, the snow was heavily packed down — as it had not been shoveled. Tires were seen slipping.
Steps away on Milwaukee Avenue, it was clear that the city had taken care of the main roads, which is normal.
About four miles north, way atop Cricket Hill just north of Montrose Harbor, the first significant snow of the season meant sledding for Bennett Wilson — who went down fast.
"I like going down the hill, and it's so fun!" Bennett said.
His dad was having fun too.
"It's the world. I mean, to hang out with your little guy, and just be outside and having fun?" said Jay Wilson. "That's core memories, and that's what this is about."
The snow took something of a break in the afternoon. But as day turned to night, the snow started to fall again. Some chose to slog slowly through the slush on two-wheeled bicycles, while those with four legs had no problem getting around — and spending a little time to play off leash at a dog park.
"Poor guy has been inside from probably 8 to 6, so I just figured give him some fun in the snow," said Ross Modjeska, who was walking his dog in the snow, "and him and the rest of the guys seem to be loving it."
Lauren Wood was walking her dog in the snow too.
"Enjoying it while we have it," she said. "We're enjoying every moment."
But back on those residential side streets, people were not sledding or joyfully walking dogs. They were digging out their cars, and leaving dibs behind when they pulled out of their parking spaces on the street.
"Down on the dibs," said Dan Worland. "You know, I'm sure I'm in the minority, but that's just, it's not cool, man. Everybody — you can't own a parking spot."
Plows at work, ski slopes getting snowy in west suburbs
In Elgin, CBS News Chicago caught up with some Kane County crews plowing Randall Road.
On the clock since 11 a.m., the Kane County crews said the roads they saw were clear, there were no accidents, and the snow was less than expected.
"Not that big a deal. This is just normal Chicago weather," said driver Gary McCoy. "We really haven't had any bad weather all year, so this is kind of the first little bit of hint of snow."
But some drivers said they were concerned by what they experienced.
"They 're very slippery," said Sylvia Baltierrez. "My car was not stopping."
Marcos Felix said it was a "little nasty" on the roads and he thought of just staying home, but he didn't.
"I'm just going home now, and with the rest of the afternoon, I'll stay warm," said Felix.
In St. Charles, officials said they rely on their drivers' experience — and police street cameras — to know where slick spots are creeping up.
"Since they're out patrolling 24/7, they cue us in. If it's something that pops up unexpected, you know this one, we're kind of ready and waiting for it," said St. Charles Public Works Manager AJ Reineking. "A lot of different tactics go into it."
McCoy said those with the option of staying home were best advised to do so.
But while some were worried about clearing snow in Chicago's west and northwest suburbs Wednesday, others were creating it. The snow guns were on for the ski slopes at Bartlett's Villa Olivia.
The resort said it creates snow anytime it's cold enough, and expects the winter storm will drive big crowds to the slopes this President's Day weekend.
Last year, such was not the case. On Feb. 9, 2024, it was so warm that Villa Olivia was were getting the golf course ready.
Now, the snow at Villa Olivia revenue is up — with workers saying they have doubled their revenue this winter season.
"Snow in people's front yards is great advertising for Villa Olivia," said Villa Olivia Supt. Bobby Pierobon. "They're thinking that when it's green in their front yard, that we might not have snow, but we do make our own snow."
Back on the plows, some of the crews who talked to CBS News Chicago said they expected they would be out maintaining in current conditions, and then in cleanup mode until about midnight Wednesday night.
The snowstorm also had a significant effect on Chicago's airports. As of just before 10 p.m., more than 1,100 flights were delayed at O'Hare International Airport, with more than 120 cancellations.
At Midway International Airport, there were more than 100 flights delayed and more than 40 canceled.
As of 9 p.m., snowfall reports in he Chicago area ranged from 1.5" to 4".
