Lake County launches countywide safety action plan

WAUKEGAN – In partnership with the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, the Illinois Department of Transportation and five other counties in northeastern Illinois, Lake County announced its involvement in Safe Travel for All.

The regionwide initiative aims to identify existing conditions and trends causing safety hazards and make recommendations to reduce severe and fatal crashes and save lives.

As part of Safe Travel for All, Lake County is developing a safety action plan, a roadmap for improving traffic safety countywide. Completing the plan will open opportunities for the county and its communities to access federal funding to implement changes that will keep people safer on roads.

“The safety of all users of our transportation network of roads, paths and sidewalks is always our top priority,” Shane Schneider, Lake County Division of Transportation director, said in a news release. “Everyone is encouraged to participate in this effort. Helping us identify a safety issue now could lead to a project that improves the network for everyone.”

The Lake County Safety Action Plan will use a data-driven approach to identify high crash areas, including those in disadvantaged areas that experience a disproportionately higher share of traffic-related harm.

To complement the effort, Lake County encourages community residents to share their experiences and take an active role in the Lake County Safety Action Plan by identifying traffic locations in need of attention, including areas with pedestrian and bike traffic.

Anyone who lives, works or travels in Lake County can participate in the planning process by:

• Providing input on the interactive Safety Hotspots Map.

• Signing up for email updates.

• Attending in-person events throughout the next 10 months.

The LCSAP will be guided by a steering committee made up of a broad, inclusive group of stakeholders designed to capture a diverse range of perspectives.

Committee members include representatives from the Lake County Transportation Alliance, Lake County Major Crash Assistance Team, Lake County Health Department, Lake County Regional Office of Education, Mano a Mano Family Resource Center, Lake County Center for Independent Living, Lake County Forest Preserves, NAACP Lake County Chapter and representatives from multiple city governments.

By directly engaging with county residents, the LCSAP aims to prioritize safety improvements that most benefit the community.

For questions about the project, email project manager Mike Klemens at mklemens@lakecountyil.gov.