The 2024 Shared Cost Sidewalk Program will open to new applicants on January 8th, 2024.

What is the Shared Cost Sidewalk Program?

The Shared Cost Sidewalk Program is a popular voluntary program in which property owners can share the cost of sidewalk repair with the City. The program will be open to new applicants on January 8th, 2024, from 6am-10pm.

How do I apply?

Residents can apply through the City’s 311 system, by calling 311, or visiting 311.chicago.gov and submitting a Shared Cost Sidewalk Repair Request. Applications are taken on a first-come, first-served basis. The number of participants is based on the funds available within a certain year.

Please note that the program usually reaches capacity within the day! We encourage you to apply early to make sure you secure a spot.

Here are some things to keep in mind when you apply:

• Make sure to specify that you want to participate in the Shared Cost Sidewalk Program
• If you currently do not have a courtesy walk (the path that goes from the sidewalk to the street) or a landing step and would like one installed, please mention that in your request. Please note that whether it is installed will depend on the engineering recommendation.
• If you are interested in the removal or replacement of the driveway apron, please mention this in your request.
• You must give the property owner’s complete name, a contact phone number, email address if available, and the property’s complete address. Please note that the Shared Cost Sidewalk Program applications that are missing any of the requested information may not be processed.

If I make it into the program, when do I have to pay for my share of the costs?

You don’t need to pay for your share of the costs until after the sidewalk has been surveyed and a bill has been emailed or mailed to your address. This typically happens during the late spring or early summer.

Payment in full must be made to the City’s Department of Finance within the timeframe indicated on the bill in order for the work to proceed.

When will my sidewalk repair happen?

Repairs usually happen during the summer or fall of the same year. Sometimes, unexpected delays like concrete shortages or other construction work happening in the area may cause the project to be delayed until the following year. In those cases, the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) will notify any participants who’s projects have to be carried over to the following year. 

If I’ve already submitted a 311 request for sidewalk repair, do I also have to submit a request for the Shared Cost Sidewalk Repair?

Yes! Shared cost sidewalk repairs are run through a different program than regular 311 sidewalk repair requests, so if you want to be considered for the program, you have to submit a Shared Cost Sidewalk Repair Request.

If you’ve already submitted a repair request, that shouldn’t impact your eligibility for the program, but please note that any sidewalk repair request made outside the shared cost sidewalk repair program application window, or any request not specifying “shared cost,” falls into a separate program, evaluation process, and timeline. 

If you have any questions about this program, please contact CDOT at (312) 744-1746 or cdotsharedcost@cityofchicago.org.