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Curie High students press Cook County commissioners to act on dangerous Pulaski Road corridor
Summary
Two seniors and their peers urged the board to prioritize safety improvements on Pulaski Road, citing hundreds of crashes and near-misses; Commissioner Anaya said county staff are supporting the students and aligning with city and state partners.
Two students from Curie High School told the Cook County Board that dangerous conditions on Pulaski Road endanger students who cross the corridor to get to school and nearby businesses.
Hannah Smith, a senior, said she has “seen very many close calls” during her four years at Curie and that students regularly fear being hit by vehicles. Jorge Botello, also a student at Curie, said he has witnessed car crashes on his way to school and that many peers “just don't feel safe” crossing Pulaski.
Smith told the board an analysis she cited found “around 700 crashes around Pulaski Road” this year and urged long-term fixes such as pedestrian islands near transit stops and improved bus service. Botello said he surveyed classmates and frequently heard accounts of near-misses and unsafe driving.
Commissioner Alma Anaya thanked the students and noted they have already engaged city and congressional representatives and local organizations. “They have been part of doing research on how many accidents and how many individuals, unfortunately, either have been hit or have been fatally struck in that corridor,” Anaya said, and added that the Southwest Collective and the students’ analysis covered “over 4,000 within the last few years.”
Anaya said Pulaski is a state road but that the county will support and align with city and state partners to explore solutions. She asked staff to coordinate across levels of government and with community groups to identify possible engineering fixes, transit changes and other safety measures.
No formal board action or ordinance was taken at the meeting; commissioners framed the discussion as continued engagement and coordination with other jurisdictions and agencies.
What happens next: Commissioner Anaya and staff indicated the county will remain involved with student leaders, the Southwest Collective and city and state officials to pursue safety interventions and public outreach in the Pulaski corridor.
