Skokie board approves 25 mph reduction on Kostner/CER Avenue and authorizes all-way stop at Kostner & Keeney

Village Manager John Lockerby presented an engineering analysis of a section of Kostner/CER Avenue between Oakton Street and Main Street recommending a reduction in the posted speed limit from 30 to 25 miles per hour. Staff said the median speed measured roughly 21 mph and the 85th-percentile speed was about 26 mph, which supported the reduction request. The board moved to request Corporation Counsel draft an enabling ordinance.

Trustees asked about the duration of speed studies, enforcement mechanisms, and alternatives such as traffic-calming features. Engineering staff (Russ Ratfield) said the studies are typically run Tuesday through Thursday to capture representative daily traffic and that enforcement would be coordinated between the Traffic Engineering Division and the Police Department. Residents who live near the corridor, including Matt Jarvis and Matthew Gy, described frequent near-collisions, a nearby bus stop and child pedestrian exposure, and urged the change.

The board also approved establishment of a multi-way (all-way) stop at the intersection of Kostner Avenue and Keeney Street after staff cited five reported crashes in a 12-month period and field observations indicating site-distance issues. Trustees called the roll and authorized Corporation Counsel to draft the enabling ordinance for the all-way stop.

Staff said longer-term village-wide speed-limit discussions are underway and that residents with speeding concerns should contact Transportation Engineer Eric Sanchez to request a review or request radar signs to educate drivers.

The measures passed during the manager’s report and will proceed to drafting of ordinances for formal adoption by the board.