Sidewalks? Not All Elmhurst Residents Are Fans

ELMHURST, IL – Elmhurst Alderman Jacob Hill lives on a street with no sidewalks. He wants every street to have one.

But not everyone agrees. That group includes at least one of Hill's neighbors.

During a committee meeting Monday, members praised a proposed 40-year policy to get sidewalks on at least one side of every street in Elmhurst.

Alderman Mike Brennan, who represents southwest Ward 7, said that some residents on streets with little traffic don't want sidewalks.

"I don't know what we do with that when we get to phase three," Brennan said at the City Council's public safety committee meeting. "There is a resident on Ferndale that wants nothing to do with sidewalks."

"That's my block," said Hill, who represents Ward 2.

Nonetheless, he said he was happy with the months of meetings drafting the long-term plan.

"I look forward to walking across Elmhurst on sidewalks when I'm 91," Hill said.

Sidewalks, he said, were not just for the homes they are in front of, but part of a network for the entire community.

The overwhelming majority of streets south of North Avenue have sidewalks. But the city's northeast corner is almost entirely without them. The same goes for parts of northwest Elmhurst, where Hill lives.

On the northeast side, the city is aiming to get sidewalks for Crestview Avenue, Indiana Street and Van Auken Street by as early as next year.

At the meeting, Alderman Chris Jensen said the proposed policy particularly helps his northeast Ward 3. He said he was looking forward to next year's project.

"It's been a challenge to get this one done," Jensen said. "There was a lot of resistance on the old council."

Under the proposed policy, the city would focus on installing sidewalks on one side of streets where none exist now. It would be at no direct cost to residents.

The city plans to set up a rating system establishing priorities for the 40-year plan. Routes to school, for instance, would be at the top of the list.

The committee voted unanimously for the policy. Now, the full council must decide.