The Forest Park Village Council will investigate safety concerns at the intersection of Circle Avenue and Adams Street following action at Monday’s meeting in response to a resident’s request.
Monday’s meeting contrasted sharply from village council sessions in April, which were dominated by discussion of video gaming. Attendance Monday was sparse and the meeting ended in less than 10 minutes. Video gaming was not discussed or even mentioned after village hall announced last week that the public forum on that topic will not take place in May as originally planned, but will likely occur in July. In fact, no residents spoke during the public comment portion of the meeting.
Aubrey Jacknow, who lives at the Circle-Adams intersection, made the written request to Commissioner Rachell Entler, citing three recent accidents at the intersection, one of which resulted in damage to her home.
“Something needs to be done,” Jacknow said in her letter, suggesting installation of flashing stop signs and more visible pedestrian walkways. “The accidents are becoming more frequent and I fear that a pedestrian will be injured or worse.”
Village council members voted unanimously without discussion to refer the request to the Traffic and Safety Committee, chaired by John Hosty.
“There have been a number of accidents at this intersection,” Mayor Anthony Calderone explained, “and a request has been made that we take a look at it.
“Typical protocol has been to refer such requests to Safety and Traffic. They will do the necessary legwork, homework and whatever’s necessary to determine what might be in the best interest and make a recommendation that would ultimately come back to us for consideration.”
Village Administrator Tim Gillian said it could be “a while” before the issue returns to the village council for consideration, citing the need for the committee to meet and the required involvement of the Police Department and, possibly, the village engineer.
Village council members also voted unanimously to continue participating in the state of Illinois E-Pay program.
E-Pay is a service provided by the State Treasurer’s Office to more than 650 local governments in Illinois that allows payment by credit card, bank card and/or electronic check over the counter, online or by phone. Participating governments and agencies are charged a nominal processing fee per transaction by Forte Payment Systems Inc. Gillian said the program is used by residents to pay their water bills online.
Participating governments and agencies include elected county officials, county treasurers, cities, villages, schools, libraries, parks, recreation facilities, sewage treatment districts, sanitation districts, community colleges and universities. The program is described on its website as a “safe and secure electronic payment program.”
The motion was approved without discussion.
