Postal Service to deliver packages in Chicago next two Sundays

Neither rain, nor sleet, nor church? If you see someone in a mail carrier uniform Sunday, it’s not a scam. A huge upsurge in the number of packages means the U.S. Postal Service will deliver in the city the next two Sundays.

The Chicago Post Office will also start early-morning package delivery daily, with packages delivered before regular mail, a statement from the USPS said.

All delivery stations in the city — except ZIP Codes 60612, 60624, 60644 and 60651 — will see package delivery on Sundays, Dec. 15 and Dec. 22. Customers in several areas can also pick up packages at post offices on those days if a “notice left” slip is left at their home.

Those include the Charles Hayes, Cicero, Clearing, Edgebrook/Lincolnwood, Fort Dearborn, Graceland, Lakeview, Mt. Greenwood/Alsip, Niles, Riverdale and Wicker Park postal offices.

“We’re excited about the explosion in package growth,” Chicago District Manager Karen Schenck said in the statement, “and we want to make sure that we get every gift to its intended recipient in time for the holiday.”

In fiscal year 2013, the Postal Service saw a 6 percent increase in package volume, and another 12 percent increase is expected this holiday season, the statement said. A total of about 420 million packages are expected to be delivered.

For holiday delivery, the deadline for First-Class Mail in time for the holidays is Friday, Dec. 20. The deadline for Priority Mail is Saturday, Dec. 2; and for Priority Mail Express it’s Monday, Dec. 23 for local delivery. Priority Mail Express will be delivered on Christmas Day.