Hello, my name is Jordan Russow. Many of you who know me know that I lost the love of my life in a tragic accident this past August. His name was Riley Kolesar.    

Riley was one of those guys that everybody just loved. He had such a bright personality. He loved to laugh and joke around, but he was also very serious about his goals in life and working hard to achieve them. He was a son, a grandson, the BEST big brother, a friend to many, and absolutely adored by me and our pup.  Riley was the kind of guy you called when you got your truck stuck, you wanted to throw something down on the grill, you needed help with a brake job, you wanted to have fun, or if you simply just needed a friend to sit and talk about life with you. He loved animals, cars, his little siblings, working hard, and being able to take care of everyone he loved. He is deeply missed and remembered every day by his loved ones.    

 Since Riley's passing, a memorial has been set up at the intersection of his accident which occurred on Highway IL-18 and E 15th Rd (aka Kangley Rd). I've personally spent quite a bit of time at this intersection caring for his memorial and just being there to feel his presence. This intersection is DANGEROUS. People are constantly speeding through on IL-18, blowing stop signs on Kangley Rd, and just plain not paying attention to their surroundings. I have contacted IDOT, The Eagle Township Hall, and LaSalle County Highway offices. I have been raising awareness as to how dangerous this intersection is. Each of these offices seem to think it's one of the other offices' responsibility. As a community there is power in unity. Please help me take a stand in saying "Enough is Enough!" We need something added to this intersection to raise the awareness and alertness of drivers.

I am proposing the installation of flashing warning lights at the intersection 4 ways to raise awareness and alertness of drivers passing through. 2 yellow lights on the intersection warning signs on IL-18, 2 rumble strips and red flashing lights on the stop signs on Kangley Rd. (E 15th Rd). I would honestly even like to see some lights shone on the “Stop Sign Ahead” signs. We all know people driving recklessly is a problem, everywhere. But if we can do small things like this and save even just one life isn’t that worth it?

In my research, I’ve found there have been 23 total crashes in the last 9 years. Of those 23 crashes, there have been 30 injuries and 1 confirmed fatality on scene. Think about that. There have been more injuries than crashes from 2014-2023. The totals haven’t even been put into the system for 2024, and in 2025 we’ve already had a bad accident at this intersection. Please support me in raising awareness to the dangers here!! I want to take the sadness of my grief for my love and turn it into something good, something meaningful. Please sign, share, and start the conversations.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart,

Jordan Russow