On Friday, less than a week after yet another cyclist’s death over the weekend, the City Council’s Committee on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety will have an opportunity to expand one of Chicago’s most promising tools for changing dangerous driving behavior — the Smart Streets program.
I like that the Smart Streets program is designed specifically to be about changing behavior, not money. People receive warnings first. This is to tell people: “We haven’t been caring about this, but we’re going to now.” Blocking a bike lane, parking at a bus stop or double parking with the flashers on “just to run in real quick” is not going to be something that’s allowed anymore.
And it works. The city’s own data shows that 84% of drivers who received a zero-dollar warning did not go on to receive a fine. And 64% of drivers who received one ticket did not reoffend.
The pilot has demonstrated that this approach can change behavior. We should build on that success and make Smart Streets permanent citywide.
Cyrus Dowlatshahi, Humboldt Park
Establish term limits in Highland Park
In less than a month, Highland Park residents will be asked to consider a referendum on whether term limits should be imposed on those seeking to run for mayor or the City Council. Term limits have become a lightning rod of sorts for the electorate, not only on a local level, but for those serving nationally in Congress and the Supreme Court.
Certainly there are pros and cons to imposing such limits, but as a 50-year resident of Highland Park, I can say from experience that local politicians who serve, or want to continue to serve, for lengthy periods do so by imperiling progress for the community with outdated notions and policies that once were effective but wane with time. These politicians become “stale.” It is time for a change, and Highland Park residents will have an opportunity to become part of a vanguard with some other municipalities in Lake, DeKalb, Cook and Will counties —including Lake Forest and Wilmette that neighbor Highland Park — by voting for such limits.
Miles Zaremski, Highland Park
Toilet talk
Oui, oui to public toilets!
I couldn’t agree more with Sun-Times columnist Neil Steinberg that providing public restrooms is a goal worth working toward in Chicago. I am someone who has often found myself in the undignified position of panicking while looking for a restroom. Public facilities would provide locals and visitors alike with dignity while exploring our city.
Robert Scheffel, North Center