As Donna Bavido walked out of Union Station on Monday morning, she saw the sheet of ice ahead and tried her best to avoid a fall.
But fall she did. Twice.
“I’m sore all over,” said the 52-year-old Round Lake resident who’s had back surgery, bilateral knee surgery and an Achilles tendon repaired. “My arms kill. I tried protecting my legs by falling on my arms.”
Bavido called Metra to complain but was told the city was responsible for de-icing the sidewalk on Canal Street, where she fell.
Officials with the Chicago Department of Transportation said Monday that businesses and residents are responsible for clearing sidewalks adjacent to their property.
At Union Station, Amtrak was ultimately responsible. Amtrak officials said they had been pre-treating the sidewalk before the freezing rain began early Monday and continued with salt, calcium chloride and chipping away tracts of ice.
Bavido was by no means the only one who fell Monday. Northwestern Memorial Hospital’s emergency room saw an increase in patients coming in with injuries such as sprains and broken bones because of slips and falls on the ice, said hospital spokeswoman Amy Dobrozsi.
Illinois State Police reported 24 spinouts and minor fender benders on expressways and tollways in the six collar counties.
Residents who tip-toed, glided or walked sideways along icy sidewalks downtown wondered why the ice hadn’t been cleaned and no one was held responsible. According to city ordinances, residents who fail to clean sidewalks can be fined up to $50, businesses and commercial properties up to $500.
