PLAINFIELD
Village joins group to cut emissions
By joining an international environmental organization, Plainfield officials hope they can determine the best way to reduce its output of carbon emissions.
The Village Board this week approved joining the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives, after noting that the $600 membership is a cost-effective way to develop a plan to cut emissions. Quotes for hiring a consultant to help the village determine its emission levels came in at $25,000, said Community Development Director Jim Testin.
Local members of the council include Chicago, Carol Stream and Northbrook.
In 2007, Plainfield joined the Sierra Club’s Cool Cities campaign, which requires members to sign the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement and commit to reducing emissions to 7 percent below 1990 levels by 2012.
Trustee Larry Vaupel, who voted against joining the international council, said he had concerns about reducing emissions to below 1990 levels when the village’s population has increased sixfold since then.
“The jury is still out on man-made global warming,” Vaupel said.
— Alicia Fabbre
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FRANKFORT
Foes of railroad deal lining up, mayor says
Suburban opposition to Canadian National Railway Co.’s bid to buy the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railroad is growing, Frankfort’s mayor said this week.
Mayor Jim Holland said he will attend a meeting this week to discuss the impact of the proposed purchase on Will and DuPage Counties.
If the proposal is approved by the federal Surface Transportation Board, suburbs in those counties can expect to see rail traffic quadruple at street-level crossings, officials said.
The village has already requested safety measures if the agency approves the purchase. Recently, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin and U.S. Rep. Melissa Bean, both Democrats from Illinois, said Canadian National hasn’t guaranteed cooperation with the proposed STAR commuter line and current Amtrak service.
A problem with the STAR line, which could stretch from the south and southwest suburbs to O’Hare International Airport, “affects residents of Frankfort directly,” Holland said.
The mayor said he met with one of Bean’s staffers last week to “point out our unique and peculiar concerns” regarding the proposal’s impact on quality of life.
— Pat Harper
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TINLEY PARK
Cameras likely to go up at Harlem intersections
Tinley Park police soon could have the help of cameras to catch drivers who run red lights.
Village trustees this week considered an agreement to install cameras at three intersections along Harlem Avenue. Final approval is expected at the next board meeting on March 18.
Trustee Brian Maher said the village is targeting some of the busiest intersections with the most accidents. If approved, traffic cameras will be installed along Harlem Avenue at 159th, 171st and 183rd Streets.
Under the proposed agreement, Redflex Traffic System Inc. would charge $4,200 per intersection per month. Those fees would be paid with fines collected from traffic violators.
Assistant Village Manager Steve Tilton noted that if less than $4,200 is collected in fees from an intersection, Redflex would be paid the lesser amount.
The village would keep any money collected above the $4,200.
Tilton was uncertain when cameras would be installed but said signs would be placed at each intersection to alert drivers to the cameras.
— Alicia Fabbre
