Schools

Student's Death Prompts Petition From Heights Woman

Cheryl Anderson wants Washington-McKinley School to close its east entry for the safety of its students.

A Chicago Heights woman wants to help make the corner of 16th Place and Chicago Road safer by petitioning District 170 to close the east entryway of Washington-McKinley School.

Cheryl Anderson, owner of Teach Me How Academy, 34 E 16th Street, says she and others have witnessed numerous accidents at the corner, but the death of seven-year-old Jackson Hill (one of her pupils) last month was the last straw. The second-grade Student was struck and killed by a vehicle at that intersection on his way to school. Anderson says closing the east doors of Washington-McKinley is the first step in making the area safer.

“I can’t imagine why they’d have that entry there,” Anderson said.

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Anderson say she has already collected the names of over 200 people who support her cause. She plans to present them to the District 170 board.

Patch called Washington-McKinley School and District 170 for comment, but we’ve yet to get a response.

Find out what's happening in Chicago Heightswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Your turn: Do you think closing the east entry of Washington-McKinley School will make the intersection of 16th Place and Chicago Road any safer for students?


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