Walking to school should be safe, but this is not the reality for students on 74th Street. Recently, my friend had a close call with a car while heading to school, and this isn't an isolated event. The absence of a sidewalk is a grave safety concern for pedestrians, especially the children, who should not have to navigate traffic on their way to an education.

Seventy-Fourth Street serves as a direct route for many children to local schools in Burr Ridge, but without a designated walking path, they are forced to walk on the street where they are vulnerable to oncoming traffic. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, pedestrian fatalities represented 17% of all traffic deaths in 2019, a statistic that could be significantly reduced with safer walking infrastructure.

Installation of a sidewalk will not only ensure the safety of our children but also encourage healthier lifestyles by promoting walking. It will enhance mobility for all residents, including the elderly and those with disabilities, offering them a safe space to travel.

We urge the local government to prioritize the installation of a sidewalk on 74th Street. Funding may be available through state and federal grants aimed at improving pedestrian safety and infrastructure investments in schools' vicinity.

Please sign this petition to show your support for a safer, more walkable community. Together, we can make a difference and protect our loved ones from potential harm. Every signature counts in urging the authorities to take immediate action.