On the Move

Frightening 911 call following Orland Park home invasion, shooting

2013-05-14T22:21:04Z

Orland Park police have released the audio of a 911 call made by a shooting victim's fiance who called police after a home invasion and shooting at her home on Antelope Lane at 2:50 a.m. on Friday. The woman's fiance was shot but got into his vehicle and chased the home invaders.

Listen to the 911 call here:

Cold just as dangerous as snow

2011-02-08T19:48:18Z

Severe cold weather can be perilous for drivers and motorists need to take precautions as the area braces for an arctic blast that will send temperatures into negative figures for a few days.
Somethings are obvious, like checking fluid levels, making sure your battery is fully charged, etc.
But other things are not as obvious. Coldness can zap air from tires and underinflated tires can be a real hazard.
Starting Tuiesday night Illinois Tollway users can get help if they run into problems because the deep freeze.
The Tollway is implementing its Zero Weather Patrol with dedicated hourly patrols to search for motorists stranded in disabled vehicles or in response to calls made to *999, Tollway dispatch or Illinois State Police District 15.
The patrols are activated at 8 p.m. Tuesday until Wednesday morning, when temperatures are expected to rise above zero. The Zero Weather Patrols are expected to be implemented again overnight on Wednesday, as temperatures are again expected to drop below zero overnight.
"With temperatures dipping well below zero tonight and tomorrow night, we want to assure customers that that we'll be there to help with a tire change, jump start or call for service," Tollway Executive Director Kristi Lafleur said in a press release.
Here's more: "There are a minimum of 11 Zero Weather Road Patrols, at least one from each maintenance garage section. The Zero Weather Patrols consist of crew cab trucks equipped with arrow boards for directing traffic around accidents or stranded vehicles and enough room to accommodate up to five passengers if motorists need to be transported to a Tollway maintenance garage, toll plaza or Tollway oasis.

"Motorists who do get stranded should turn on their emergency lights and stay in their vehicles until help arrives. Cell phone users should call *999 for roadway assistance or to report other motorists pulled over on the side of the road."

Slip sliding away

2010-12-06T16:11:41Z

We got our first dose of winter weather last week and drivers need to get their slick-driving muscles back in order.
Travel was noticably slower with the snow but we haven't seen the worse that Ol' Man Winter can dish out. A few inches of snow is one thing but wait until the heavy stuff hits along with sleet or freezing rain, now that will be a true test of Midwest driving skills.
Transportation officials have released the requisite warnings about the dangers of winter driving and while it may seem a bit paternal, one would be wise to listen up.
The Illinois Department of Transportation, the Illinois State Police and the Illinois Tollway have started their "Ice and Snow-Take it Slow" campaign, reminding motorists to reduce speed, bluckle-up safety belts and ditch the distracted driving during bad weather (not bad advice during more pleasant conditions, too).
Here are some other safety tips:
Other safety tips include:
• Don't crowd the plow - a snowplow operator's field of vision is restricted. You may see them, but they may not see you.
• Watch out for black ice roads that appear clear but can be treacherous. Take it slow when approaching intersections, off-ramps, bridges, and shady areas - all are prone to black ice.
• Always keep your gas tank at least two-thirds full to prevent the vehicle's fuel line from freezing.
• Do not travel unless absolutely necessary - if you do have to make a trip, check the forecast and make sure someone is aware of your travel route.
• Always carry an emergency car care kit that contains jumper cables, flares or reflectors, windshield washer fluid, a small ice scraper, traction material, blankets, non-perishable food and a first aid kit.
• Carry a cell phone and dial *999 for roadway assistance.
• Always wear a safety belt.
• Motorists are urged to check travel conditions before any trip. You can get interstate condition information by calling 1-800-452-IDOT (4368), Illinois Tollway information by calling 1-800-TOLL-FYI or online at www.gettingaroundillinois.com and click on the "winter road conditions" icon.

The Getting Around Illinois website was recently redesigned and relaunched and officials say it makes it easier to get updates on travel information.
Just remember not to access it while behind the wheel and moving.

Are free rides getting bumpy?

2010-11-16T20:00:54Z

A Sun-Times story (found here) by transportation writer Mary Wisniewski points out that legislation to curtail free transit rides for seniors could emerge in Springfield either in the veto session or spring session.

It's about time.

The old saying that there is no such thing as a free lunch doesn't apply in Illinois. Anyone in the state who has logged 780 months on this planet gets to keep the ol' pocketbook squeezed shut when using public transportation.

According to the story, a recent study, conducted by the Urban Transportation Center at the University of Illinois at Chicago for the RTA, found that free rides for seniors and people with disabilities cost the CTA, Pace and Metra between $37.7 million and $116.2 million in lost revenue in 2009. Plus, more than on olne-in-four of those who are riding gratis make more than $55,000 a year.

The study found that 28 percent of those surveyed who use free rides make more than $55,000 a year.

Yes, many seniors are on fixed incomes, and yes, those of us who have been around for 65 years have paid our fair share of taxes. But giving ALL seniors a free pass, regardless of their ability to pay, is costing every taxpayer a boat load of money we can't afford.

Leaders are looking at altering the program to limit it to low-income seniors only. But it begs the question why only low-income seniors should enjoy the free rides. What about students who need to use public transportation? And why is transportation singled out as the free gift. Why not free water? Or how about free garbage pick up, or better yet, how about free ambulance rides?

Seniors who can pay their way to ride public transportation should do so.

Pay attention

2010-11-08T17:14:08Z

I cannot tell you how many times over the past few weeks I have been had the bejesus scared out of me traveling down the tollway. Seeing a car drift slightly to the right or left of the lane or slightly below the speed limit seems to be a tip off that the driver is not paying attention. The driver seemds drunk.

And nine-times-out-of-ten I see the driver looking down for extended periods of time and then glancing up, sometimes just in time to hit the brakes as the car in front slows in traffic. A quick look into the car shows the driver with a hand-held device between their hands.

C'mon people, is it too much to ask that you don't text and drive at the same time? Driving while on a cell phone is distracting enough but texting is downright dangerous every time out of the box.

Sun-Times Media reporter Mike Danahey wrote an excellent story recently about distracted driving at high speeds and the trouble it causes. Read it here.

Driving takes a lot of concentration and being distracted by texting doesn't make any sense. I mean OMG, WTF, if you can't wait to communicate, IDK, you're an idiot.

No crossing at the crossing

2010-10-04T19:09:08Z

If you use Van Dyke Road and travel over the Canadian National railroad (justnorth of 143rd Street) in Plainfield you had better plan on finding another way starting next Monday (Oct. 11),

The crossing crossing on Van Dyke Road crossing will be closed for repairs and upgrades beginning at 7:30 a.m. that day and continue to be closed unto 3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 15.
The work is being done by the Canadian National Railroad and includes track, crossing, and signal upgrades and pavement patching. The posted detour route for local traffic only will be 143rd Street to Route 59 to 135th Street.

Route 30 closures

2010-10-04T19:06:27Z

Route 30 will be reopened to through traffic from Union Street to Route 59 on Monday, Oct. 4, simultaneously, the east leg of Lockport Street at Route 59 will be closed to all through traffic to allow for the construction of permanent pavement in conjunction with the Route 59 reconstruction project. The closure will continue until Thursday, Oct. 14 at 5:00 p.m.
Detour signs will be posted while the work is being performed and the detour route will use Route 59, Renwick Road, and Weber Road. Access to local businesses and residences will be maintained via the detour route and local streets.

Naper Blvd congestion

2010-09-28T20:51:45Z

If you drive down Naper Boulevard in Naperville get ready for some inconvenience. Resurfacing work started on the road Tuesday (Sept. 28) between Hobson Road and 75th Street reducing traffic to one lane in each direction between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. The good news is that the project is expected to be completed by mid-October. Click here for a link to the Naperville city Website's traffic updates.

Road closed

2010-09-15T22:51:41Z

Be fore warned: Union Street in Plainfield, on both sides of Route 30, will be closed to all traffic starting at 8 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 16. The roadway will remain closed until the intersection improvements at Route 59 and Route 30 are completed.

Illinois alchemy

2010-09-05T20:44:15Z

Motorists will experience a little Illinois-style alchemy starting on Sept. 15, when new traffic fines will turn lead feet into gold.

The state legislators upped the fine amounts for some minor infractions, including speeding, which will cost an additional $54.

With decreasing tax revenue the state, as well as other governing bodies, have been looking to quasi-criminal fines to pad the 'ol coffers.

The Sun-Times outlines the issue here.

So be forewarned.

Having a lead foot will mean less gold in your pocket.

Step away from the vehicle

2010-08-23T16:15:26Z

The Active Transportation Alliance, an advocacy group for biking, walking and mass transit, has declared Wednesday, Sept. 22, as the second annual Chicagoland Car-free Day and is asking people to pledge to keep the 'ol Lexus leashed and get around by foot, cycle or transit.

The event is part of World Car-free Day and the alliance has partnered with Metra, Pace, the RTA and CTA You can make a pledge by clicking here. People who pledge can enjoy special offers and discounts for Active Trans membership, Argo Tea, I-Go Car Sharing, Sports Authority and State Street Pizza Company.

The alliance Web site has a list of tips to help people plan a day without using a car. FInd them by clicking here. It's new director, Ron Burke, said in a press release that the day can be a jumping off point to stay car-free all year 'round. I'm not sure that is very realistic for most folks in the suburbs, but cutting down on car use is a start.

Eshewing the automobile for one day may open the eyes of people who never thought it possible to go car-free, even for a short time.

Detours ahead

2010-08-15T21:08:29Z

Construction work will interupt traffic on two area streets in the area this week starting Monday, Aug. 16.
On Monday, motorists in Aurora will see South Lake Street closed between Jericho Road and Ridgeway Avenue for three to four weeks for railroad track repair work at the underpass. The detour will use parts of Orchard Road in Aurora and Montgomery with traffic being routed to Orchard Road from Priaire Street to Jericho Road. Trucks will be detoured using Orchard Road from Route 30 to Galena Boulevard.
In West Dundee westbound Route 72 (Main Street/Higgins Road) between Seventh Street and Route 31 (Eighth Street) will be reduced to one lane from about 7 p.m. Monday to about 8 a.m. Friday due to a water main break. Commuters are urged to find alternative routes
You've been warned.

Buckle up for safety, buckle up

2010-08-01T21:04:56Z

Remember that old jingle to promote seatbelt use, "Buckle up for safety, buckle up!"

Well, it seems more and more of us are taking that advice to heart, according to state transportation officials. The Illinois Department of Transportation reports the number of motorists and front seat passengers who wear seatbelts has reached almost 93 percent.

What does that mean? Well, it probably means fewer of us are being killed in crashes on Illinois roads. Overall number of fatalities on Illinois roads is down by 16.8 percent on a provisional basis for the first six months of 2010; from 434 in 2009, to 361 in 2010, according to IDOT.

The 93 percent seatbelt compliance is pretty good, especially considering how many people used seatbelts before it became mandatory in 2004. According to IDOT slightly more than 76 percent used seatbelts.

Seatbelt use figures have been creeping up incrementaly ever since. And with it, the numbers of fatalities as also dropped. There are a number of factors for that, of course, like fewer miles driven, tougher DUI laws, etc. But seatbelt use must surely be considered when making that life-saving calculation.

It just isn't fair

2010-07-21T21:05:18Z

Traffic around the Kendall County Fair next week won't be winning any blue ribbons by motorists who travel near the fairgrounds.

Starting at 6 a.m. Thursday, July 29, tunil about 7 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 1, Highpoint Road in Kendall Township between Illinois State Route 71 and Legion Road will have a temporary traffic flow change to easy traffic congestions expected at the fair.

Anyone going to the annual fair will be detoured to Legion Road to enter the fairgrounds off Highpoint. Southbound traffic on Routes 71 and 47 will be detoured south to Legion Road, west to Highpoint Road and north to the fairgrounds. Northbound traffic on Route 47 will turn west on Legion Road and enter the same way. Northbound traffic on Route 71 will be detoured to the east on Legion Road then north on Highpoint to the fairgrounds.

Officials emphasize that no traffic will be allowed to enter Highpoint Road from Route 71 while the fair is going on. And Righpoint Road to Route 71 will be for exiting only.

The lowdown on Route 71 work

2010-07-14T17:36:11Z

A special open house is planned at the Yorkville Library July 29 for the Illinois Department of Transportation to give details about the proposed improvements for Illinois Route 71 from Illinois Route 47 in Yorkville to Orchard Road in Oswego.

There won't be a formal presentation during the 4 to 7 p.m.oen house but IDOT respresentative will be on hand to address questions and receive comments people have about the project. Related exhibits, maps, and typical sections will be available for public review, according to an IDOT press release. The project will include improvements and upgrades, and additional right-of-way may be required throughout the project, the release says.

The open house takes place at the downstairs meeting room of the Yorkville Public Library at 902 Game Farm Road.