Why Does Elmhurst Pay For Crossing Guards?

ELMHURST, IL – Elmhurst has long paid for crossing guard services in town, but an alderman on Monday questioned why that was the case.

In 2020, the city started outsourcing the function to Aurora-based Andy Frain Services, which specializes in security.

The city is considering updating the contract to increase guards' wages to $26.49 an hour, up from $21.34.

According to a city analysis, the proposed wage is about what comparable towns are paying. Deerfield is an outlier, with guards making just shy of $50 an hour.

Under the 2020 contract, the city estimated it would cost $213,000 a year to provide crossing guards, covering 21 crossings in the morning and afternoon.

Before the Andy Frain contract, the city was spending $280,000 a year.

On Monday, the City Council's Public Safety Commission looked at the proposal for the pay raise.

Alderman Jacob Hill noted that Evanston is transitioning out of the crossing guard function, transferring it to the schools. He wondered whether Elmhurst could do the same.

He said he was raising the question as someone with children who benefit from crossing guards.

Acting Police Chief Michael McLean said the city sees crossing guards as a traffic control decision, rather than a school function.

Mayor Scott Levin said the city wants the ability to control intersections.

"I don't think the school district is going to say, 'We want the responsibility,'" the mayor said.