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Residents urge Palos Park to step up enforcement, seek state authority for speed cameras
Summary
Dozens of residents told the Village of Palos Park on Dec. 8 that excessive noise, weaving and speeding on LaGrange Road are harming sleep and safety; the mayor said she is pursuing state legislation to expand local access to automated speed cameras and to ban modified mufflers.
Dozens of residents told the Village of Palos Park Board of Commissioners on Dec. 8 that traffic noise and reckless driving on LaGrange Road have become intolerable and are creating safety hazards.
At the council’s public-comment period, Shannon Hoop of Wild Cherry Lane said the noise and engine popping are "ruining our life" and described continuous disturbances day and night from motorcycles, speeders and large trucks. "We want the laws enforced," she said, adding she could not find evidence that Palos Park received STEP grants other nearby towns used to augment enforcement.
Lisa Gibbs of 12508 South 83rd Avenue framed the issue as both a noise nuisance and a road-safety concern, urging the council to use citation and fine collection to deter reckless drivers. Gibbs asked whether the village is using data from its three fleet/flock cameras and suggested relocating a camera to LaGrange if warranted.
Mayor Milovich Walters said she has pushed state lawmakers — naming Representatives Vlaha and DeLuca — to reintroduce legislation that would let communities smaller than Chicago deploy automated speed cameras. The mayor said a prior bill died in committee and asked residents to be ready to contact legislators when it is refiled. She also said she is drafting a proposal to prohibit sale or modification of mufflers that significantly amplify engine noise.
Council members and police officials acknowledged constraints on staff resources for continuous enforcement but said they are working with county and state partners and using grants and targeted patrols where possible. Commissioner Polk (Public Safety) noted recent enforcement numbers and recommended continued community reporting to guide patrol deployment.
The mayor urged residents to watch for follow-up reporting on grants and camera data and to contribute to outreach efforts when the village requests constituent support for pending legislation.
The meeting closed with council members noting the issue will remain on their public-safety agenda and that some next steps depend on state action for new enforcement tools.
