1st Ward

Customer Advisory Council

Chicago, IL 60618, 60622, 60642, 60647

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"Helpful Hints For Better Mail Service" provided by USPS

Your local post office Customer Advisory Council (CAC) for the 1st Ward is
posting this list of "Do's & Don'ts" that was provided by Chicago USPS
in hopes of helping our neighbors improve their mail service.

STATEMENT BY USPS: "At the Chicago Post Office,our letter carriers have one basic job: deliver your mail promptly and to the right address. They're happy to provide that service day in and day out, through rain, sleet and snow - after all, 'service' is in our name! But there are a few things you and/or your building manager can do to help speed delivery of your mail."

>> Make sure your mailbox is in working order.

Our carriers will deliver your mail only into a secure receptacle that closes properly.

Delivery could be suspended, and customers asked to pick up their mail in person, if broken mailboxes aren't repaired.

>> Don't let mail pile up in your mailbox.

Clear your mailbox every day so there's plenty of room for the next day's mail.

If you're going out of town, have your mail held at the Post Office until you return.
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>> Make sure names and apartment numbers are labeled on mailboxes.

Property Managers: Having a current building directory on hand can also help us get the right mail to the right customer.

>> Don't leave former residents' names on mailboxes.

That helps eliminate confusion and speeds up getting that mail to the customer's new address.

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>> Use key keeper boxes to provide access to indoor mailboxes.

Letter carriers can't have keys or pass codes to private residences.

Property Managers: If your building's mailboxes are behind a locked entrance, install a key keeper (a lockbox that can be opened only by the carrier's Arrow key) and place a key to the front door in it.

>> Don't move your mailbox without telling us.

If we don't know where the mailbox is, we may not be able to deliver your mail.

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>> Make sure stairs and railings are safe.

When a carrier misses time because of injuries suffered on the job, everybody's hurt - especially the customers who count on that carrier's regular, consistent service.

>> Don't move without telling us your new address.

Fill out a Change of Address form at your Post Office or at www.USPS.com.

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>> Tell everyone who sends you mail to use your complete address.

A complete address includes street directionals (N, S, E, W), street titles (Rd, Ave, St, etc.) and apartment numbers.

It helps us sort and deliver mail to the right place.

>> Don't write on the mail.

Put a note on the mail and leave it for your carrier.

Extra handwriting on the envelope can delay processing.

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>> Don't let your kids take mail directly from the carrier.

A dog may see handing the mail to a child as a threatening gesture.

>> Don't let your dog run loose while your carrier is making deliveries.

Dogs bite hundreds of letter carriers nationwide every year resulting in lost work time, medical expenses and potential pet-owner liability.

Please keep dogs secured and away from the carrier's path during delivery hours.

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>> Tell us how we're doing.

Let us know if you've gotten great service, or if we can serve you better, by calling our Consumer Affairs department at (312)983-8403 during regular business hours.

>> Don't let your kids play behind a Postal vehicle.

The driver may not be able to see them back there when it's time to go.

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U.S.Postal Service | Chicago's 1st Ward


The fine print: With the exception of the above "Do's & Don'ts" page, the content of this web site is not directly provided by the United States Postal Service, The City of Chicago or any of the Aldermanic offices. It is in no way controlled by, endorsed by or financially supported by any entity or organization other than the members of the Customer Advisory Council who contribute to and edit the site. Although we may furnish some links from this web site to other locations, those are provided at our sole discretion for your convenience and do not imply any actual endorsement from this Council for those sites. Or, probably, vice versa.