Back in February, James Cappleman praised the ability of SeeClickFix to improve accountability and transparency in Chicago during his campaign for alderman of the 46th Ward. This Monday, Cappleman will be sworn into office and SeeClickFix looks forward to seeing how he will use our technology to improve the quality of life for residents in the Windy City. Some municipal officials of Chi-Town, however, have already taken cue from the soon-to-be alderman.

Submitted just one day ago, Issue # 100838 - Water main work but hasn't been worked on in weeks deals with delayed construction on the water main at the Wabash and Cullerton intersection. An anonymous user explained:

They have dug up the road and it is covered with metal plates where the hole is. However, there has been no work done here in several weeks. In addition, there is construction material that has been on the street (it is blocked off by barricades, but it has just been sitting there). Is this work ever going to be finished?

Just one hour ago, Tom LaPorte from the Department of Water Management responded to the citizen's inquiry:

We started a water main job with a couple of test holes, but then learned that the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) was resurfacing a nearby street as part of an unrelated project. Rather than further crowd the neighborhood, we pulled off the job and sent our crew elsewhere until CDOT could finish.

LaPorte mentioned that CDOT's work will be completed soon and then his department can continue working on the water main project. With the project expected to last eight weeks, LaPorte and company will distribute an informational packet and letter to neighbors explaining the situation. He ended his response by apologizing for any confusion and thanking the resident for being understanding.

Another Chicago resident and SeeClickFix user Ali documented the poor road conditions of Wood Street between Division and Wicker Park Ave fourteen days ago (Issue #98125 - Wood Street is a mess). Three days later, Matt Bailey, the director of communications for Alderman Joe Moreno, addressed the situation:

As part of completing the water main installation done on 1200 N. Wood, the street will be resurfaced this month.

With Cappleman starting work soon, we're hoping the city becomes one step closer to utilizing SeeClickFix to connect with the citizens it serves.