CHICAGO NEWS BENCH: Traffic

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Slideshow of Red Light Camera Protest, Chicago, Feb. 14

Feb. 16, 2010 - Update: Illinois Senate Transportation Committee Chair calls for public hearings Senator Sandoval promised, in the record, to hold public hearings within two weeks on SB 2466, a bill to ban red light cameras statewide. SEE PRESS RELEASE... The Valentine's Day protest against red light cameras in Chicago was great, with a nice turnout of about 60 people (my estimate), thousands of flyers handed out to passing motorists and - surprisingly - a good showing from the local media. While the event was organized by Republican Scott Tucker, who is running for IL State Rep (11th District), it was not a "Republican event." Liberal candidate for governor William Dock Walls was there, working side by side with Tucker and other Republicans to support Illinois Senate Bill 2466, which would ban red light cameras statewide. See my slideshow of the protest, followed by links to some other blogs that have their own good photos. Also see our video of the event.

Bad Intersections, Ald. Stone, Ald Moore Don't Care

The aldermen in Chicago's 49th and 50th wards seem to not care about the safety of bikers, pedestrians or motorists. To wit: Rogers Park (east) sits along the shoreline of Lake Michigan. It is ruled over by 49th Ward Alderman Joe Moore. For years, the intersection of W. Pratt and N. Greenview, in Moore's ward and right in front of a school, has been dangerous. The vast majority of motorists driving westbound on Pratt do not stop at the clearly visible stop sign. This includes CTA buses and trucks of all kind, and it happens day and night, rain or shine. I've had a video posted to this blog since December, 2006 which shows vehicle after vehicle blowing the sign. Moore has done nothing about it. Is he waiting for a group of school children to die before he takes proactive measures? West Ridge is ruled over by 50th Ward Alderman Berny Stone, who seems to care about traffic safety about as much as Joe Moore does. Rogers Parka blog's Jackie recounts when she was struck by a vehicle in February, 2007 in Stone's ward, at the intersection of N. Western and W. Granville. While crossing Western, I was hit by a car traveling east on Granville.... he struck me on my right knee and I went flying onto the ground. At least, the driver.... stopped and helped me right myself.... I sustained a small (but very painful) fracture and, for three weeks, hobbled around in deep snow. On crutches! .... I emailed Bernard Stone's office about my accident, and told them to consider putting a red light camera at that intersection. The response? "A camera isn't necessary." So that was the end of that conversation. I suppose that something will be done... after a pedestrian is killed! Full Post... Jackie was not asking for anything for herself. She was asking a city council member to consider a way to make an intersection safer. According to Jackie, Ald. Stone didn't seem to give it any consideration. Ah, Chicago, the city that works. When the aldermen want it to, that is. CommieBama Hats and More Chicago News Bench RSS Feed Follow ChiNewsBench on Twitter!

Pedestrian Hit, Killed Near Loyola in Rogers Park

Thanks to Robin for the heads up on this sad story: An Oakton Community College student was killed when she was hit by two cars Wednesday night outside Loyola University's Lake Shore Campus on Chicago's North Side. The woman was pronounced dead at 3:54 a.m. Thursday in St. Francis Hospital in Evanston. Full Story at Chicago Tribune...

Jesse Jackson Protests Racist Traffic Signals

CHICAGO - Feb. 25, 2008 (The Bench) - Civil rights spokesman Rev. Jesse Jackson today lambasted the City of Chicago for it's "racist pedestrian signals."

"Why must we wait for a little white man to give us permission to walk?" asked Jackson. He stood at a crosswalk in Chicago's "Loop" business district and pointed across the street.

"Looka that," he said, "a little white guy tellin' me that I can walk. I resent that. I am somebody, not a nobody. I walk the walk. Can that little white man?" Jackson stepped into the street and crossed at a leisurely pace, talking to reporters as he moved to the other side.

"I call on all people to boycott these racist traffic signals," Jackson said. "Do not cross the street when he tell you to. Jus' stan' there. Don't cross til you see a little black man tell you to."

Phil Kosluzkzkchizyvk, a spokesman for the City of Chicago's Pedestrian Safety Office, said he did not understand Jackson's complaint.

"Can't he see that in fact it is a little black man outlined in white?" Kosluzkzkchizyvk asked. "We're very sensitive to this issue. In fact, we are actually experimenting with a black light crossing signal. It could be out in early 2009 if all goes as planned."

Traffic Signal Needed, Joe Moore Silent

Thirteen months ago, The Bench posted a video (below) proving that the stop sign in front of a grade school is rarely obeyed. There has never been a traffic light at the intersection of W. Pratt and N. Greenview. Joe Moore has been alderman for 16 years, and he's done nothing about it. As of today, that video has gotten over 5,800 views on YouTube. Moore's people have seen it. Moore's office is aware of the dangerous intersection. Moore's office has done nothing about it. Ald. Moore's recent announcement of a traffic light to be installed on Clark Street, therefore, is a cynical and hypocritical gesture. He either doesn't care about the safety of the children crossing through Pratt & Greenview or he's a moron. Or both, maybe.

7-11 Liquor License Battle Heats Up

GET THE PETITION! COPY IT, PRINT IT, CIRCULATE IT AMONG YOUR NEIGHBORS. For more info, see PETITION AGAINST 7-11 LIQUOR LICENSE

The 7-11 convenience store at N. Glenwood and W. Pratt in Rogers Park, Chicago wants to sell liquor. The Bench urges all neighbors to oppose their application. The store is just a few hundred feet from an elementary school and is situated between two of the most confusing intersections in Chicago. The Chicago City Council must pass an ordinance lifting the moratorium before franchise owner Mr. Sayed can apply for the license. Mr. Sayed's 7-Eleven store would be the only business affected by the lifting of the moratorium.

This particular 7-11 stopped selling Lottery tickets several years ago because it "caused too many problems" for the store. We wonder how naive the owner must be to think that selling booze will not cause problems. All one has to do is spend a few minutes observing Soo Liquors on Morse Avenue to see what kind of problems could soon visit 7-11 at Pratt and Glenwood. Isn't 7-11 obligated to have a public notice posted in their window? Well, they don't. Just pro-license propaganda (photo) at checkout.

There is a sick irony to the flyer that clerks have been ordered to hand out to customers at this 7-11. Click on the photo here to see a larger image of it. The flyer says that there will be a community meeting about the license just one short block away at Lakeshore School, at N. Greenview and W. Pratt. Children walk through the 7-11 parking lot on their way to and from the Lakeshore School, as well as to and from nearby Kilmer and Sullivan schools.

Do you really want those kids bumping into more drunks while they're trying to get to school? Do we really want liquor sales within a thousand feet of Lakeshore School? The Bench has documented on video the fact that very few sober drivers do not stop at the stop sign right in front of Lakeshore School. Add to that mix a bunch of people hurrying to get another hit of booze on their way home, or to or from a party.

The liquor license will bring in a whole new type of traffic, on foot and in cars. Suddenly, people jonesing for one more 40 ouncer or a six pack to cap off a night of drinking will be swerving into - and out of - the parking lot on busy Pratt Avenue. Come to the meeting, Neighbor, and speak against this outrage.

ALSO SEE: DANGEROUS SCHOOL INTERSECTION
* 7-11 Wants to Sell Booze (at Broken Heart)

Dangerous School Intersection in Rogers Park

School starts tomorrow, Tuesday, September 4. When will 49th Ward Alderman Joe Moore decided that it's past time to put a traffic light at the intersection of N. Greenview and W. Pratt? Before or after a tragedy?

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