The Pothole Holdup  December 4, 2008 9:15:19 AM PST Why are
thousands of Chicago drivers who bottomed out in potholes
earlier this year seeing a holdup in city reimbursements for the
damage?Death, taxes and potholes are three certainties of life
in Chicago.  Last winter and spring saw the growth of more deep,
dangerous potholes than at any time in at least a decade.
Thousands of irked Chicagoans whose cars were damaged followed
city suggestions that they file damage claims.  But six months
later, many of those motorists say they are victims again, this
time, of "the pothole holdup."  They were everywhere. As the
I-Team reported last winter, hubcaps kept tallies of the worst
potholes in Chicago.  "Last year was an extraordinary year in
terms of potholes. We had a near record snowfall, more than
we've seen in 30 years as well as freeze/thaw cycles, which are
the root cause of potholes. Our pothole crews filled over
400,000 potholes," said Brian Steele, Chicago Department of
Transportation.  Some are filled fast