I grew up in Erie. Chicago should be ashamed of itself. For a city that likes to fancy itself an all-weather town, the collective freak out...over 17 !@#$ing inches...was pitiful.  
  
Now, having said that, having grown up accustom to at least one three-footer every winter, last year's winter in Chicago was hands down the WORST of my entire life. I think we made it 10 straight days without once surpassing 0 degrees. 
  
And it stayed frigid WELL into March. 
  
This year, in spite of last week (the 5th largest accumulation in City history (how sad is that?)) has been wonderfully mild.