Chicago launches its first snowplow-naming contest

CHICAGO — Snow-prah Winfrey, Bill-izzard Murray, Salt-er Payton, Jane Brrrrr-ne or Mrs. O’Leary’s Plow could be coming to a Chicago street near you this winter.

The city’s Department of Streets and Sanitation launched its first-ever contest to name six snowplows — one for each snow district — in its fleet of almost 300 baby-blue “Snow Fighting Trucks.” (During a major snowfall in Chicago, a pool of up to 675 motor-truck drivers can be dispatched.)

The “You Name A Snowplow” competition is open to Chicago residents. Entries will be accepted at chicagoshovels.org until 20,000 are received or Jan. 6, 2023, whichever happens first. Only one submission is allowed per device and entries can be a maximum of 50 characters in length.

Fifty finalists will then be chosen by the department’s staff and residents will have until Jan. 31, 2023, to vote on them.

The six names with the most votes will be featured on city snowplows, which can be tracked in real-time on the plow tracker.

Snowplow-naming contests have been popular in other cities and states, which have used them to raise awareness for winter driving safety and to recognize employees who pilot the vehicles.

Entries were due Friday in the third annual contest for the Minnesota Department of Transportation. Its rules ban any politically inspired submissions and profanity — “Gosh darn it, nothing vulgar please.” Eight names will be chosen to join Betty Whiteout, Ctrl Salt Delete, The Big Leplowski and 13 others in the fleet.