Hinsdale South Students Seek Safety Improvements

DARIEN, IL – Officials at a Darien City Council meeting this week concluded more could be done to improve safety on Clarendon Hills Road in front of Hinsdale South High School.

At the meeting, students NaKyra Culver and Umer Hasan pushed a proposal for flashing lights for a crosswalk that links the school to the parking lot.

"It does get pretty busy during certain times of the day," Culver said.

Officials discussed how it would be paid for. They agreed with a school official that the city and school district each could foot half of the estimated $37,000 bill.

Alderwoman Mary Sullivan said she was fine with the city sharing costs, saying crossing the street there can be "death-defying."

"You're crossing a roadway that belongs to the city. It's not just students but other community members who are accessing (the school) there," Sullivan said. "I think this is long overdue, and I think it's very fair that we meet in the middle and do cost-sharing."

Alderman Ted Schauer agreed. He said one of his sons at Hinsdale South almost got hit by a car crossing Clarendon Hills Road. And Alderman Thomas Belczak said he has seen drivers speed up to beat students to the crosswalk.

Alderman Joe Kenny wondered if private fundraising could be done for the project, noting a local group raised money for water wells in Africa.

Sullivan objected.

"This is our community," she said. "We should be taking care of the safety of our residents."

Kenny said he never said no to the city paying for the project.

"I've asked questions twice tonight, and I'm getting a little frustrated tonight. Forgive me," he said.

Mayor Joseph Marchese asked for the council's Municipal Services Committee to look into the issue.