Will County Gazette

Village of New Lenox Safe Communities America, Motor Vehicle/ Traffic Safety Task Group met May 14.

Here are the minutes provided by the group:

CALL TO ORDER

Dan Martin called the ZOOM meeting to order at 10:33am.

Dan Martin had emailed the task group members the Zoom meeting link, agenda and minutes from the previous meeting prior to this meeting.

IN ATTENDANCE

Dan Martin / Village of New Lenox, Margaret Pearson / Illinois Secretary of State’s Office, Jim Mihalovich / Top Driver, Rocky Dellamano / Rock Dellamano COUNTRY Financial, Marisa Tomich / New Lenox Fire Protection District, Michelle Larson / ThinkFirst; Olga Viano / New Lenox Community Park District, Jen Vujosevic / Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210, Carl Cicero / Metra and Gina Kenney / Ride Illinois.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

The Minutes from the March 12, 2024 Task Group Meeting, which had been disseminated via email to Task Group members, were discussed. Jim Mihalovich made a motion to approve the minutes, and Olga Viano seconded the motion. After no further discussion, the motion carried and the minutes were approved.

OLD BUSINESS

Illinois Secretary of State’s Mobile Unit / Super Senior Event

The Secretary of State’s Office held a Super Senior Event (a mobile driver’s unit plus a ‘Rules of the Road’ refresher class) from 10:00am - 2:00pm on April 9, 2024 at Village Hall. The refresher course was attended by about 12 seniors and the mobile unit processed 48 individuals during the event. The Secretary of State’s staff was efficient in keeping to 10-minute time slots. Dan Martin received more than 250 inquiry calls and / or emails for the event. A few individuals stopped by to see if they could get an appointment but were told they needed to register in advance as specified in the event’s marketing.

Bicycling Safety Tips for Parents

George Fero, Ride Illinois, was scheduled to present this event April 16 from 7:00pm - 8:00pm. but, unfortunately, his Internet went out 5 minutes into the presentation so he was unable to continue. This program may be rescheduled or recorded in advance to be shown at a later date.

NEW BUSINESS

Operation Lifesaver (Rail Safety) Presentation

Carl Cicero of Metra said he’d like to schedule another presentation and for the task group to choose a date. Dan Martin will work with Carl on this.

ThinkFirst—Driving Safety Program

Michelle Larsen presented information about ThinkFirst. (The organization is a safety driving course and is focused on preventing brain and spinal column injury. They present programs on preventing injuries and falls as well). Michelle reported she had just been to a convention and had significant traffic at her table. The organization also delivered 400 bicycle helmets to a school in Aurora. A few bicycles were also given away. Michelle is happy to present programs when and where she can with her schedule. She can potentially offer a pre-recorded program if an in-person program isn’t possible. She was also invited to participate in some of the task group’s upcoming programs such as the “Teen Driver? What Every Parent Should Know” and the Older Adult Falls classes this fall. Her organization also offers Brakes, an advanced maneuver driving class for students up to age 19 for $99.

“Teen Driver? What Every Parent Should Know”

The task group is moving forward to present this again for Fall, 2024. Jen will look at dates at the beginning of the school year for a November presentation. Many of the same presenters may be tapped for the next program including Kathleen Widmer, SOS office, Jim Mihalovich, Rocky Dellamano, two LWC driver’s ed teachers and Margaret Pearson, SOS Office.

Senior Vehicle Inspections

The task group would like to offer this event again in the fall, most likely at Lincoln-Way Central High School. The events (over two days) may have to be scheduled for the afternoon again which necessitates working around the afternoon school bus schedule in back of the school by the auto shop. This event is typically held at Lincoln-Way CENTRAL High School.

Bicycle Safety – Informational Table for Ride Illinois

Ride Illinois may have a table at District #22’s Back-To-School event at the Commons in August. Jim Mihalovich working on securing a date. Rocky Dellamano and Margaret Pearson also inquired about having a table at this event.

Illinois Secretary of State’s Office – Rules of the Road Refresher (for Seniors)

This class will be offered on Thursday, November 21, 2024 from 10:00am -12:00pm in the Community Room at the New Lenox Village Hall.

Motor Vehicle / Traffic Safety Task Group—May 29, 2024 Coalition Meeting Speaker Dave Simmons, Executive Director, Ride Illinois, will be the guest speaker at the May 29th Coalition Meeting. Dan thanked Gina Kenny for securing the guest speaker.

GOOD OF THE ORDER / ORGANIZATION UPDATES

Gina Kenney mentioned she has a speaking opportunity at a future training event, and she may ask task group members to join her. She will share details with the group at a later date.

COALITION MEETING

The next Coalition Meeting will be May 29, 2024 at 10:30am via Zoom. Dan Martin mentioned that he’d like everyone to attend if possible. The Mayor of Manhattan and a Manhattan Trustee will be attending to observe a Coalition Meeting in action.

NEXT MEETING DATE

The next meeting of the Motor Vehicle / Traffic Safety Task Group will be Tuesday, July 16, 2024 at 10:30 am via Zoom videoconference.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 11:21am.

Motor Vehicle and Traffic Safety Task Group

“To establish collaborative partnerships with organizations that utilize education, engineering and enforcement efforts to reduce deaths and injuries related to motor vehicle crashes.”

https://www.newlenox.net/files/documents/SafeCommunitiesAmericaTaskGroupsMinutes05-14-24090245052924AM1352.pdf