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VOL. 16 • NO. 41
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THURSDAY, FEB. 27, 2020
Accident occurs where stoplight has been requested DiCianni joins north side neighbors in outrage
FOR THE BENSENVILLE INDEPENDENT
On Saturday, Feb. 15, an accident occurred on York Street near Diversey in north Elmhurst that reportedly totaled two automobiles. No injuries were reported as of press time. Neighbors have been requesting a stoplight at that intersection ever since north side residents came out to a City Council meeting in June of 2019, along with resident Pete DiCianni, who is a member of the DuPage County Board, Dist. 2, and former mayor of Elmhurst. DiCianni, who grew up on the north side where six of the seven siblings attended Churchville School, brought along a petition that evening with 400 signatures to plead for a traffic light, a painted crosswalk and any other safety measures that could be afforded at the intersection of York St. and Diversey. In light of the recent accident, DiCianni now is especially alarmed and extremely concerned with the delay to move forward with safety initiatives. “By gauging the traffic patterns only, the warrant study is declining the stoplight despite multiple past accidents, injuries and even a fatality,” DiCianni told the Independent in an exclusive interview. “Not only did residents sign a petition, both principals [of Conrad Fischer and Churchville schools] wrote letters of support, and the Village of Bensenville even passed a resolution of support because some of their local children attend Conrad Fischer.” At the City Council meeting back in June, Joe Martucci, a 56-year resident of north Elmhurst, said that York & Diversey was known locally as the “suicide corner.”
“In the past 56 years, there have been several accidents and records indicate a few deaths, too,” Martucci said. “There are 1000 children between Churchville and Fischer schools, there’s McDonalds, Dunkin Donuts, the Shell gas station, Mangia Italiano, the two car repair shops, gas
stations, making it impossible to exit Diversey either north or south. “I’ve been buying food and walking across to the townhouses and it’s nearly impossible. It’s been astronomically bad. I hope you [the City Council] take it into consideration.” In addition, letters of support for
the measure were submitted by DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick and by County Board members Donald Puchalski, Sam Tornatore and Ashley Selmon, all of whom represent District #1, which includes the York & Diversey intersection. “The problem is,” DiCianni said,
Animal hospital celebrates new location
“they do these warrant studies but nobody talks about the schools, the area businesses, Elm Brook Senior Care. Nobody asks, ‘does it make sense, will it save lives?’ At some point, you have to use common sense and look at history. It’s time to start investing in the north side’s safety.”
SUBMITTED PHOTO Bensenville Independent
Dr. Vic Dhillon cuts the ceremonial red ribbon to celebrate the new location of the Bensenville Animal Hospital at 1208 Irving Park Road. Surrounding him are hospital representatives, Village Board members, Village staff and members of the Bensenville Chamber of Commerce. The hospital recently moved from their previous space at 1032 W. Irving Park Road to this new 6,000 square-foot location to better accommodate their growing business.
Celebrating over 24 years in business
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Police Reports...........6 Sports ��������������� 16-17 Viewpoint.................8 Classifieds............15
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