The crosswalk is horribly dangerous not only for pedestrians, but also for drivers. After dark it is nearly impossible to see someone beginning to cross, and if you stop suddenly because someone is in the crosswalk, drivers behind you cannot see why you are stopping, and will nearly hit you. There needs to be a stop sign, or a light, or at the very least, a street light so the crosswalk is well lit. As for Willow Springs being an emergency route, I see no reason there couldn't be a yellow pedestrian crossing sign placed in the middle of the street, as a visual reminder for the crossing. Placed in the middle of the lanes, it wouldn't interfere with any vehicles.

Why would it take a year and a half to put up a button-activated red light?

We construct large buildings from the ground up in less time than that. And how many traffic lights will be installed/repaired in that time in New York and New Jersey after the hurricane?

This seems more to be a question about priorities: kids trying to cross the street safely seem to be less important than any number of things. Let's get our representatives to change priorities. It's not that complicated.

How about a walking bridge over the roadway? It would be safe, wouldn't interfere with normal traffic and wouldn't impede emergency traffic.

Excuse me...but haven't the parents taught their teenagers how to cross a busy street - and wait for traffic to pass, if necessary? Gilbert Avenue IS a busy street, especially in the area where traffic from the Garden Market exits, traffic exits from the high school and you have the entrance to LaGrange Hospital. Put a stop light here and you are going to create a real traffic gridlock - and that inconveniences the intended users of Gilbert Avenue - motorists. I'm getting a little tired of the ever present group of soccer moms who expect everything to be changed and altered to the convenience of their little darlings. "Waiting to cross is frustrating for the students and can lead to poor decisions and eventually an accident.” How about teaching your teenagers proper conduct when crossing the street instead of rationalizing their carelessness and expecting everyone else to accomodate?

Do you not all understand the economic realities of the failed State of IL and what the corrupt politicians have done to us all? The cash is not there to install any of these things. And, I agree with Joseph that common sense needs to prevail. I in fact crossed that same street to get to LT 30 years ago and it was fine then and fine now. Another fact, I have a kid at South now. And I am not concerned. Grow a set, people. The over abundance of stop signs, invisible fence warning signs, "caution, the beverage you are about to enjoy is HOT" signs, etc. all add up to a coddled populace that needs to stop litigating, stop whining and start acting responsible, in all areas.

Do those who direct traffic have to be full blown police men? During the busiest hours some help needs to be in place. A year an a half is too long to wait. Every night football game was a nightmare. People running across Williow Springs Rd while Westen Springs police sat in their cars behind Dominick's making sure no one parked there. Seemed to be a terrible misuse of resources to me.

I agree that the crossing could be made easier and safer, but I'm confused about the importance of doing something RIGHT NOW. Has there been a large increase in the number of people trying to cross the street? Has anyone actually been hurt making the crossing or is this only a case of someone could get hurt? It seems to me that we are working towards making an improvement that will take time and we should be thankful that it is being addressed instead of angry that something that we hadn't previously noticed isn't fixed already.

It doesn't matter. The kids cross wherever they want to and I've had them run out in front of my car in groups, laughing while looking right at the drivers. Put in a traffic light and they'll do the same thing. You want to stop it? Put up a fence along Willow Springs on the LTHS side with only one opening at the crosswalk. And enforce the existing regulations against jaywalking. Of course you won't do either and expect the least at fault people here--drivers--to carry both the expense and the hassle of this absurd waste of money while the kids keep doing what they always do.