Politics & Government
Federal Funds Will Help Village Buy Traffic Calming Device
South Chicago Heights has received a grant from Safe Routes to School, which it will use to purchase a new traffic calming device
South Chicago Heights has the money in hand to buy a new traffic calming device, thanks to a grant from the Illinois Safe Routes to School program.
The village recently received a $5,490 grant from the program, the board of trustees learned at its April 18 meeting.
Illinois Safe Routes to School is a federally funded program overseen by the Illinois Department of Transportation. It funds programs and projects that enable and encourage children to walk or bike to school.
Find out what's happening in Chicago Heightswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
South Chicago Heights must spend the grant money within one year, meaning the village has until April 12, 2012, to make its purchase, Police Chief William Joyce said.
Officials have decided to purchase a speed trailer, which with upgrades will cost the village $8,170, Joyce said. In addition to the grant, the department has made an appropriation out of its budget to cover the remaining costs.
Find out what's happening in Chicago Heightswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
“We’ve looked at various options and decided (this trailer) is the best option," Joyce said.
Among other things the trailer will be able to analyze traffic counts and help the department determine what time of day traffic infractions are likely to occur. The trailer also displays speeds as motorists pass, a function which has proven its worth as a traffic calming technique, Deputy Chief Timothy Wehrle said.
In other business, the Board of Trustees awarded a contract to replace concrete at the fire station to Hook Construction, which was the low bidder at $18,977.