Chicago City Wire

The Department of Streets and Sanitation (DSS) in Chicago has announced the third annual 'You Name a Snowplow' contest. Residents are invited to submit creative names for snowplows at shovels.chicago.gov by January 4, 2025. The contest will conclude with residents selecting the top six names, which will be assigned to snowplows across the city's six snow districts.

This year's winners will join the 13 previously named snowplows from contests held in 2023 and 2024. DSS Commissioner Cole Stallard stated, "We look forward to the snowplow naming contest each year, where we see engagement, creativity and Chicago pride shine through with each submittal we receive." He added that the contest highlights the effort involved in clearing snow and ice during winter.

The event follows a two-phase process. Initially, submissions are collected, limited to one per person and up to 50 characters. The submission period ends on January 4, 2025, or when 20,000 entries are received. DSS staff will then select 50 finalists. In the second phase starting January 10, residents can vote for up to six names until January 21. The most popular names will be featured on snowplows in each district.

Winning names will be displayed on signage installed on the plows. Those who submitted winning names will have a photo opportunity with their named plow and receive city merchandise.

DSS oversees more than 9,400 lane miles of roadway with over 300 salt spreaders ready for deployment and maintains over 400,000 tons of salt throughout Chicago.