Tinley Park resident urges permanent traffic safety measures near McAuliffe School

A Tinley Park resident and parent identified only as Christina told the Tinley Park Committee of the Whole during public comment that motorists are treating 8th Avenue near McAuliffe School as a drag strip and that temporary enforcement and signs have not solved a persistent safety problem.

Christina said children and parents crossing near McAuliffe and nearby Andrew’s school have experienced multiple close calls this school year, including a car crash in front of a crossing guard and a parent who was struck while riding a bicycle. “We need a permanent solution before the school year starts next year,” Christina said. “And I'm afraid that the worst is gonna happen and we wanna make sure that the village takes action before a child gets hurt.”

The comment described a pattern in which a temporary police presence or a portable speed sign reduces dangerous behavior while present, but risky driving resumes once enforcement leaves. Christina said a portable speed sign that had been placed on 8th Avenue was removed a few days before the school year began, and that a flashing school sign on 170th Street — which she said is controlled by the school district — is not consistently lit. She also described a speed reduction from 30 mph to 20 mph on a nearby street and said 8th Avenue is unusually wide, allowing drivers to pass other vehicles and bypass safety measures.

Village officials who responded told Christina they would gather information and convene a meeting. A member of the Committee — who asked that residents give their contact information to Lisa Veil in the back of the room — said, “She could talk to Police Chief Tilton, Village Manager Pat Carr and John Urbanski, our public works director, and they could work on that.” The official added that staff would develop ideas and then schedule a meeting with residents to review proposals.

An unidentified official who said he takes the route to work confirmed the resident's account that the flashing school light is operated by the school and that it has not been consistently lit. Committee members and staff referenced School District 140 in discussing the sign and the school safety superintendent as a point of contact for district-controlled equipment.

Next steps described at the meeting: residents were asked to share contact information with village staff so the police chief, village manager and public works director can meet and propose possible measures; the village would then schedule a follow-up meeting with residents to review options and next steps.

The comments and staff response were recorded during the Committee of the Whole meeting; no formal motion or ordinance addressing 8th Avenue safety measures was made during the public comment period.