Municipal governments have the power to build and regulate necessary public amenities such as street improvements and sidewalks. In 1873 the Chicago Board of Public Works issued a routine notice to Isaac Arnold, a former U. S. congressman, requiring him to repair the sidewalk near property that he owned. The sidewalks in question were on the west side of what is now LaSalle Street (then Arnold Street) in the northern half of the block extending south from 17th Street. The notice in the left margin calls attention to the part of the city charter that establishes the power to regulate sidewalks.

Creator: Chicago Board of Public Works
Source: Newberry Library (Graff 2074 no.2)