Chicago, IL — Freezing temperatures, snow and ice signal the start of the winter season throughout Illinois. The U.S. Postal Service is asking customers to please help letter carriers deliver mail safely by clearing snow and ice from sidewalks, stairs and mailboxes. 

“Snow and ice make delivery dangerous and slow,” said Chicago Postmaster, Wanda Prater.  “Maintaining a clear path to the mail box — including steps, porches, walkways and street approaches — will help letter carriers maintain consistent delivery service, and help them get the mail delivered.” 

Customers receiving door delivery should make sure their sidewalks, steps and porches are clear. Customers receiving curbside delivery should remove snow piles left by snow plows to keep access to their mailboxes clear for letter carriers.

Blue collection boxes also need to be kept clear for our customers to deposit their mail, and for the Postal Service to collect the mail for delivery. Residents and businesses with collection boxes near their property are asked to help keep them clear of snow and ice. “We want our letter carriers to be safe,” Prater added. “We can only do this with the help of our customers and it is greatly appreciated.”

# # #

For U.S. Postal Service media resources, including broadcast quality video and audio and photo stills, visit the USPS Newsroom. For reporters interested in speaking with a regional Postal Service public relations professional, please see our local contacts list. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and LinkedIn. Subscribe to the USPS YouTube Channel, like us on Facebook and enjoy our Postal Posts blog. For more information about the Postal Service, visit usps.com and facts.usps.com.