Recruiting Loud Voices to Win Willow Road Debate
Going into final year of state study to redesign roadway, Glenview uses a village-funded public relations group in its debate with other communities.
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In the game where the squeakiest wheel gets the grease, Glenview residents are trying to improve their chances that the Illinois Department of Transportation's two-year design study of Willow Road will end in their favor: expanding the road to at least four lanes.
Feeling its residents' voices were initially not loud enough on the study's Community Advisory Group – where 13 Northfield village and community representatives sit across from four representatives from Glenview, four from Northbrook and two from Winnetka – the Village of Glenview hired public affairs firm Jasculca Terman and Associates, Inc. in August to help organize the community. And since the firm launched the Move Willow Forward website, village officials believe its impact has made a dent in the debate.
"Our side was not being heard; that's one of the reasons we decided to invest a few resources," said Janet Spector-Bishop, the village's communications director. "The idea was to give concerned citizens a portal. We have a good story to tell."
Glenview Pushes for More Lanes
That story has been publicly promulgated by 18-year Glenview resident John Nicolau, who has said the bottleneck on Willow from Waukegan Road to the Interstate Highway 94 has for years forced cut-through traffic onto residential streets in Glenview such as Wagner Road (where he lives) and Sunset Ridge Road, which presents a safety hazard. He said Northfield's preferred three-lane plan is not going to help move traffic on Willow.
"All the traffic information I've seen shows that [three lanes] is not sufficient to handle the volume on Willow Road," Nicolau said. "I think we can widen Willow Road to four lanes if done in a thoughtful, common-sense way."
Spector-Bishop said Glenview is paying Jasculca Terman $10,000 for a 12-month contract, which ends in August 2011, just before IDOT is scheduled to finalize its design decision. For now the site features video surveys of residents' thoughts, information, and ways to speak out.
And that's the village's primary strategy: speaking out.
Nicolau said the "rancor" and "lack of civility" on the Northfield side of the project's advisory group, particularly perpetuated by CAG member Robert Hayward, has prevented a balanced discussion at the meetings.
"When I see this rancor and one-sidedness of his perspective, I'm trying to get the word out of another side, another perspective," Nicolau said.
Northfield Residents Feel Pressure, Many Don't Want Expansion
Hayward has asserted his opinions at each meeting, often accusing IDOT of presenting misleading traffic data.
"I certainly don't mean to cause tension," Hayward said in an e-mail. "I'm just passionate about my kids and the other children who cross Willow Road for school and park activity everyday. We just want this process to be as productive and meaningful as it can be, and to date, many of us feel this has not been a good investment of time.
"We respect all of the volunteer participants in the process and hope that we will reach a consensus on a wider, safer and better Willow Road."
Like Hayward, many Northfielders feel the state has not been listening to them.
Ted Greene, a former Northfield trustee who sits on the CAG, is president of the citizen-funded nonprofit North Suburban Awareness Group, which formed in 2007 after state Sen. Jeffrey Schoenberg (9th District) had halted a Northfield-supported shovel-ready project to expand the road to three lanes and instead commissioned further study.
"We felt like we were being railroaded by neighboring villages," Greene said.
The group – which has received information but no money from the Village of Northfield, according to Village Manager Stacy Sigman, started a frequently trafficked Facebook page My Kids Cross Willow Road, but once the CAG started meeting in November 2009, the group quieted down, Greene said. He said it's time to start organizing more actively again.
Glenview's argument for a four-lane road is misleading, Greene said, because if two extra lanes were added, there would likely need to be a middle turning lane. It would only make sense in that event to expand the road to five lanes, he added.
"We're not talking about quaint little four-lane road," Greene said. "It will significantly bisect the community. We're already cut in half by the Edens."
And because two schools and three parks exist on the road, residents are concerned that four lanes would create a safety hazard for crossing pedestrians and school children. There are currently no school speed-limit zones in Northfield, and at the most recent CAG meeting, IDOT's Pete Harmet said the village does not qualify for them.
Glenview has honed its counter-safety argument, saying that an underpass would allow for safe crossing.
Meanwhile, Northfielders have argued that the road is on a floodplain, and building an underpass there would be unrealistic.
Greene, like many other Northfielders, has argued that expanding the road even to five lanes will not ameliorate the traffic congestion and that a better solution would be to add interchanges along I-94 at Lake and Dundee avenues.
Looking Ahead
But he fears Northfield's small population will be overtaken by the other villages. And that's what Nicolau is counting on.
"As Spock [from Star Trek] said, 'The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.' There are 5,500 people in Northfield; there are 85,000 in Glenview, Northbrook and Winnetka. It's a strategic road; Northfield doesn't own it."
He said he's constantly e-mailing residents to get them involved and hopes to elicit support from Glenview teachers to speak out about safety at future CAG meetings.
"At this stage, I'll take anyone I can get," Nicolau said. "It's just like that Breck Shampoo commercial – you tell two friends, they tell five more people. There really has to be a change."
And while many Northfielders believe that, in the end, the state will decide on a wider-than-three-lanes solution, they haven't given up hope.
"There's always the hope you can change the process," Greene said. "I firmly believe once in a while it happens. You can raise your hand."
beth steger
7:35 am on Tuesday, December 21, 2010
I have lived in Glenview for 22 years. I feel Glenview is overstepping its boundries by pressuring Northfield to widen Willow Rd. I know of two Glenview children who have died navigating Glenview's large four lane roads. I would defer to Northfield who want their small community to remain easy to navigate.
Shame on Glenview for acting as bullies.
Donald Whiteman
9:34 am on Tuesday, December 21, 2010
I simply couldn't agree more.
Donald Whiteman
Former Northfield Village President
Glenn Wall
9:41 am on Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Building more road as a solution to excess traffic is like letting out one's pants as an answer to obesity.
J. Valentine
10:04 am on Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Those of you against expansion likely do not rely on that small stretch of road to get to I94, which at 7:30 am, M-F is absolutely maddening. I have been a Northbrook resident for over 20 years. With the constant expansion and construction of residential communities in the immediate area, traffic is going increase exponentially - it is time for some type of change. Northfield does not own the road.
Donald Whiteman
11:02 am on Tuesday, December 21, 2010
We own the town around the road and that's what this is all about. It is our town, not yours and not Glenview's. We like and want our town to be a certain way. You can do whatever you want within your town. If your town chooses to build up every square inch it has, fine, then feel free to do so. Northfield has no obligation to save you a few minutes of travel time at the expense of our safety, ecology and sense of community. We don't meddle in the affairs of our neighboring communities and feel that it is completely inappropriate for them to meddle in ours. If using Willow is so maddening, then take Dundee Road instead.
Glenn Wall
10:57 am on Tuesday, December 21, 2010
If you get the wider road, I hope it relieves the problem. I'm not sure I buy that it will relieve the problem. In fact, I'm not sure the problem won't be even worse with the wider road.
Donald Whiteman
1:29 pm on Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Correct. Build four (or even five) lanes and you will deliver 2-3 times the number of cars to the Edens' southbound entrance ramp each afternoon. The Edens can barely absorb the number of cars arriving there now. Imagine increasing that number significantly and all you will get is a solid line of cars jamming up the eastbound lane as it goes by village hall, the Doninick's and all the way back to Clarkson Park. To spend as much as $31 million on a 1.2 mile stretch of road to achieve this seems pretty stupid to me.
Terry Roff
10:59 am on Tuesday, December 21, 2010
It is amazing that the so few could stand in the way of the progress that would benefit so many.
Every other community has worked through reasonable traffic issues that help relive undo congestion. Willow road is a major route to & from Edens for many (even those that do not live in the surrounding cities) Why do so many people need to have hours of their lives taken away waiting for the bottleneck caused by this small stretch of highway??
I understand the concern of the local people who have children that cross Willow to get to the schools and parks, but the State has provided for a cross over bridge for such purposes.
This is nothing but a selfish group of small people that are not willing to admit that the concerns of the majority should take precedence.
Enough is enough!!
Rachel Rescorl
8:44 am on Wednesday, December 22, 2010
I do not see how commuters would benefit from more lanes through Northfield. With more lanes wouldn't the bottleneck of traffic still remain a little further east in downtown Northfield? Wouldn't there be cars stuck at multiple red lights in a long line waiting to enter the Edens? And other cars in the center lane trying to dive into that line at the last minute? More lanes of traffic going into Northfield's busy downtown would not mean that the Edens ramp capacity would increase. Is the state considering reconfiguring the southbound entrance ramp?
I am worried that too many drivers think that Willow Road causes congestion when in truth it is an Edens on ramp capacity issue. Wouldn't it be awful to spend 25 million dollars and to live through road construction for months and have the true cause not fixed?
Ted Greene
11:07 am on Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Widening Willow Road is not progress and statements that indicate it is progress are generated by folks that do not take the time to actually understand the issues involved and are not willing to educate themselves to improve the lives of all residents. It is easy to see why this State is such a mess when so many of our citizens are easily duped by the sound bite politics and back room deals that dominate the state. I would suggest that anyone that is serious about solving regional transportation issues, including Willow Road, actually take the time to understand the issue. You will be surprised to learn what actually generates the traffic issues and the many solutions that are available to our communities.
kevin smith
11:34 am on Tuesday, December 21, 2010
One must wonder why IDOT has denied Northfield's request for school zones on Willow Road. Is it tied to criteria that is consistently applied or has it been determined that the institution of school zones make the traffic studies yield not traffic improvements after widening the road to 4 or 5 lanes? I am told it is because the front door of the schools are not directly on Willow Road. However, there are school zones in many other communities where the front door might not technically be on the road where the school zone exists because it is the RIGHT thing to do to protect the safety of children. This is classic political manipulation at the expense of the safety of children.
The people who seem to have the strongest opinions on this are the least informed. Is getting to the Edens or Target 90 seconds faster really worth putting the safety of children and the character of a wonderful community at risk? The data does not support a wider road will get you there any faster. It just makes some people belive they will get more votes. I encourage the residents of Glenview to look past the easy sound bites of a PR firm that is convinced business will boom in Glenview if this small patch of Willow Road is wider. Northfield would not tell you how to shape the character and protect the children of your community. We ask that you avoid doing that to us and respect our community rights.
Andrew Platowski
1:11 pm on Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Northfield residents that oppose the widening of Willow road are unbelievably selfish and myopic. It is ridiculous to funnel a main E/W artery down to one lane to please a handful of homeowners. Bring on Eminent Domain.
Melissa Bianucci
9:21 am on Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Northfield WANTS to allievate the congestions by adding another lane.
We are NOT opposed to fixing the problem. Idot and Northfield had a plan in 2005 that was
approved but then shelved.Now, the plan has changed and they wanted to build MORE than FOUR lanes. Do your homework before commenting on this issue. Dont you find it extremely selfish that they wont put up school zones signs in a area with three schools? Why are there 32 signs on Lake ave warning of schools that are'nt even on Lake. The towns should ban together to make the roads safe for civilians. I know that I would fight for Glenview if IDOT was jepordizing the saftey of its children.Most people that I talk to from other suburbs support our views once they hear the facts. Get your facts straight. No one wants Willow to stay the same but we do not want it to be a superhighway either!
J. Valentine
9:51 am on Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Thank you for the info, but judging from some of the comments above, I think quite a few NF and surrounding area residents would be perfectly happy keeping things the way they are. And with regard to school zone signs, is it a matter of 'selfishness' (who's being selfish?), lack of oversight, not enough pressure on the powers-that-be, or zoning laws?
Donald Whiteman
11:06 am on Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Northfield hired a firm with IDOT's approval to design the three-lane configuration that was completed, but tabled in 2005 when Blago suddenly put a hold on all pending road projects. At the time IDOT had verbally approved the design and even instructed Northfield to put the project out for bid. IDOT has since reimbursed Northfield, who was acting as the lead agency at IDOT's request, for all expenses that were incurred up to that point. That design is still fully applicable, ready to go out for bid and had an estimated cost of about $8 million which is a far cry from the $31+ million dollars that IDOT now shows for this project on their web site. The three-lane design does improve traffic flow, but it doesn't change the fact that there are four intersections with stoplights between Waukegan Road and I-94. Nor does it address the inability of the Edens to absorb a significant increase in cars arriving at the ramp. Yes, Northfield DOES want to help allieviate congestion and put a lot of work toward doing that, but these are the facts and increasing the lanes to 4 or 5 will not change them nor is it fiscally responsible.
BC
5:01 pm on Friday, December 24, 2010
Build a five lane toll road, fence in the schools and build a bridge for the kids or just dig a tunnel, then the residents will never have to see the traffic, kids can run across the grassy top and the noise will be reduced.
Melissa Bianucci
11:56 am on Thursday, December 30, 2010
That was already thought of and dismissed for several reasons.
Again , if people read and study the thousands of pages of research done on this road
they would know that the three lane configuration is the safest and most financially responsible way to alleviate the traffic during peak hours. I appreciate your ideas but I think IDOT will build whatever they want regardless of anyones input . This was evident when they denied our three schools on Willow Road school zone signs . Why would they NOT want cars to slow down around schools and parks where people are crossing and playing?
Preston
8:50 am on Monday, January 3, 2011
No, Northfield is not too small to sway the redesign of Willow Road. Size is not really the issue, which is whether Northfield can and should continue to prevent the efficient flow of east-west traffic through the Village. Thee are several east-west traffic corridors that allow traffic flow, and Willow Road through Northfield is the least efficient one of the main corridors. While it is logical that residents of Northfield would resent any decision to allow greater peak flow by widening Willow Road to four lanes through the Village, other surrounding villages have had to incur increasing traffic jams as a result of the bottleneck on Willow in Northfield. Safety issues can be addressed by proper signage and strategic use of pedestrian overpasses. Northfield has to accept that they have a greater responsibility to allow more efficient flow, as those villages surrounding it have done for years now. Egregious acts by Northfield like the opening of the new Kraft facility at the corned of Waukegan Road and Willow Road have dumped increased traffic in Glenview ever since. It is time for Northfield to allow their fair share of traffic through the Village.
Brian Kozminski
3:55 pm on Wednesday, January 5, 2011
The "other surrounding villages have had to incur increasing traffic jams as a result of Willow and Kraft" argument is a myth and not supported by facts. According to IDOT's records, daily traffic counts have stayed the same or decreased on all the east-west arterials over the past 20 years, and Willow does a competitive job moving cars. Adding a compromise third lane would help even more. Here are the real traffic counts from IDOT. The first number is 1990 average vehicles per day, the second number is 2006 average vehicles per day (and you may recall the economy was flying high in 2006, which also disproves the oft-stated "Willow Road traffic will be worse when the economy picks up" myth. Lake Cook: 39,000; 31,300. Dundee Road: 35,100; 34,100. Willow Road: 27,000; 27,100. Lake Street: 30,700; 29,000. Golf: 41,200; 40,600.
John Nicolau
2:25 pm on Saturday, January 8, 2011
I appreciate the feedback from Northfield’s vocal minority who don't support the widening of Willow but I also need to draw their attention to the basic facts. (1) Traffic data shows that Willow stretching from Waukegan Road to Interstate 94 carries approximately 30,000 vehicles per day, more than twice the number of vehicles a two-lane road should carry. (2) Willow has long been designated part of the Strategic Regional Arterial system, designed to accommodate long-range regional traffic needs. It’s been improved all along the route to accommodate regional needs, except in Northfield. Willow is also a state owned road, maintained/operated using all of our tax dollars. It is not a local road to be used solely as Northfield's private entrance to the Edens expressway. Traffic/transportation are regional issues and what happens to Willow affects many more people than just those in Northfield. IDOT has a responsibility to act in the best interests of the region by improving and expanding Willow. If those that live in Northfield felt it would never change, especially after permitting traffic-drawing entities like Kraft's HQ and multiple car dealers to build in their "quaint little town", then they were either not being realistic or are currently disingenuous with the rest of the region. It's not a matter of another town imposing its views on Northfield. It's doing the right thing for everyone in the region and not allowing Northfield to hold the rest of us hostage.
Ted Greene
9:06 pm on Sunday, January 9, 2011
Once again the residents of Glenview are lacking both information and the desire to educate themselves on the issues surrounding Willow Road. Northfield is 100% behind the widening of Willow Road. The only issue at hand is to what degree, either the 3 lane plan approved and ready to begin construction, or the 5 lane plane being pushed by Glenview.
The original plan for widening Willow Road between I94 and I294 also calls for increased lanes in west of Waukegan, which Glenview does not support, but I guess that shouldn't be mentioned. In addition, if IDOT was acting in the best interests of the region it would complete the roadway systems as originally intended, including complete interchanes along both I94 and I294, plus full access to the Edens Spur. Right now I94 is at full capacity during rush hour (the only time of the day that Willow in Northfield does not flow at the posted speed limit) and moving cars faster along Willow will do nothing to alleviate the delay. It will only move the backup east. The current road configuration along I294 and I94 funnels all the traffic in the region to Willow Road. Even the Edens Spur does not allow traffice to flow southwest toward O'Hare. If the folks in Glenview are serious about solving regional transportation then lets work together and force IDOT to take a serious look at the entire region. If anyone believes that widening Willow Road through Northfield will have a dramatic impact on traffic they will be very disappointed.
ASB
8:37 pm on Wednesday, January 26, 2011
ASB
It is not fair for the non-NFLD communities to feel they can tell NFLD what to do about Willow Road IN NORTHFIELD! Glenview and Northbrook decided to build up without any insight as to how their consumers would navigate to their new strip malls. Too bad. We will not sacrifice our safety for your monetary benefit.