USPS Cites 4 Underperforming Post Office Locations in Chicago; report shows 62,000 mail items with a delay of several months

CHICAGO (WLS) – There are thousands of pieces of missing or delayed mail and no clear answers from the Chicago postal service.

On Thursday morning, a US congressman got involved.

Residents on the south and southwest sides have been complaining about problems with mail delivery for months.

A new report released Thursday revealed shortcomings within the post office.

The USPS Inspector General report highlights the four worst performing locations in Chicago:

  • 83rd and Ashland
  • 77th and Cottage Grove
  • 46th and Cottage Grove
  • 3600 block from West 79th Street.
  • Delayed mail, including letters and parcels from those locations, totaled over 62,000 from September through February.

    RELATED: Chicago Mail Problems Growing, US Lawmakers Getting Involved

    Congressman Bobby Rush, who joined local councilors and mayors of Alsip and Evergreen Park during a morning press conference, called it unacceptable.

    “People who depend on the postal service, seniors, families, other people who depend on the postal service day in and day out – it’s an absolute, epic, total, undeniable failure,” Rush said.

    He calls on the postmaster to step down and review management.

    The report he brought up also revealed an inaccurate reporting of the delayed post.

    RELATED: USPS Staff to Help Resolve Mail Delivery Delays on Chicago’s North Side

    Some of it included “voter information” from the Secretary of State.

    “We don’t deserve the kind of treatment we get in Chicago,” said Pat Dowell, 3rd ward councilor. “This isn’t just an issue on the South Side; it’s set in the North Side and suburban areas. It’s time for a change.”

    The report also focused on incorrect scanning and handling of hundreds of parcels and letter carriers’ absenteeism rate, which in some cases was as high as 50%.

    Read the full report here

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