Countryside Elementary School Zone to Stay

After several months of discussions, it appears the speed zone in front of Countryside Elementary School will remain in place.

In mid-December, the Illinois Board of Transportation informed Barrington School District 220 it intended to remove the flashing light and 20 mph speed signs on Lake Cook Road. Deputy Director Diane O’Keefe said IDOT's policy is to have speed zones only in places where children walk to school.

In a June 22 letter, Barrington Hills President Bob Abboud said that while every student that goes to Countryside is offered a bus, not all of them use it.

“The fact is that District 220’s policies have no authority off school grounds and off hours,” Abboud said in the letter. “As a former Countryside student who rode his bike to and from school, I can assure you this activity goes on today.”

Abboud said in a phone interview that IDOT offered to create a crosswalk for students who might walk or bike to the school. He said, however, it would have been hazardous because of the shoulders and recommended just leaving the speed zones.

Cory Jucius, IDOT arterial traffic field engineer, said once they were given documentation that students might be walking along the road, the decision was made to leave the posted speed zones.

Jucius said IDOT regularly visits state routes and visits sites with reduced speed limits.