PEKIN, Ill. — Pekin homeowners are no longer required to remove snow from their property.
In August, Pekin city council members passed an ordinance requiring property owners to clear snow from sidewalks within 48 hours after a snowfall of two or more inches.
Monday, council voted to rescind the ordinance.
This stemmed from a class-action lawsuit the city settled in May. Council previously amended the ordinance to make someone responsible for clearing the sidewalks in order to be Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant and abide by the consent decree the city entered into. However, city staff says the ADA is not clear on sidewalk snow removal.
25 News reports that Pekin residents have voiced concerns on social media with the majority of them saying the city should be responsible for snow removal.
Councilmember Karen Hohimer voted against rescinding the ordinance.
“So, if we are to be sued, that money that we would have to spend in another lawsuit would potentially take away from maybe, street projects, infrastructure projects potentially,” said Hohimer, “So, something has to be done. We can’t just turn a blind eye.”
Businesses will still be responsible for removing snow from their property.
