Several residents shared their concerns on the speeding and dangers of 183rd Street with Homewood Village Board members at the Aug. 12 meeting.   

Residents told of drivers zooming past the 30 mph speed limit, a long-time issue, causing unsafe conditions to those who live or walk on 183rd Street. 

Homewood commissioned a traffic study which was conducted in 2021 following a fatal crash at 183rd and Center Avenue in 2020. From there, a road diet was suggested to slow down traffic, which would change the traffic lanes from four to three (two lanes plus a turn lane) plus two bike lanes.  

The project would impact 183rd Street from Morgan Street to Dixie Highway. It was estimated to cost the village over $260,000. 

Since the initial discussion, the conversation around the project had died down, but with ongoing difficulties and concerns of those who live and back out of their driveways on 183rd Street, residents are bringing the topic back to life. 

Homewood resident Jelena Radovic-Fanta recalled another fatal accident that occurred at the end of her block on 183rd Street this past May between a motorcycle and a car, and urged the board to go forward with the road diet for everyone’s safety. 

Another resident, Rachelle Schulte, recalled the time a kitten got hit on 183rd. 

“This was traumatic for me, and thank God there were no children – I was pulling out of my driveway, and I had to stop because someone – I don’t how fast they were going, well over 40 – slammed into a baby kitten on 183rd. It flew up into the air, hit the pavement, and these cars just kept going over it,” Schulte said. 

Jen Bilinski told the board how her 17-year-old daughter, who just got her driver’s license last year, was scared to drive due to backing out of their driveway on 183rd.

“She was terrified to learn how to drive, it literally took me six months to get her to even want to use her permit,” Bilinski said, adding, “her friends don’t want to come to the house because of this, they’re afraid to pull in and out as they are also new drivers. Their parents don’t want them to do this.”

Brendon De Boer, a resident who does not live on 183rd Street but is a data analyst, shared some statistics from the Federal Highway Administration for places in other states that implemented road diets. 

“In situations like these where road diets were implemented, travel time was affected by only 16 seconds per mile increase,” De Boer said, adding, “that safety trade-off is worth it. 

A resident named Carol (who did not provide her last name) shared her differing opinions. 

“Kids should not be riding bikes to school in the new bike lanes that are proposed, it’s far too dangerous,” she said, adding, “drivers unfamiliar with 183rd will be driving in the bike lane which is too narrow for a car. Many people currently ignore the bike lanes on Riegel.” 

“Traffic is going to back up at the street lights, it will be very difficult to enter and exit driveways like ours,” Carol said, adding, “I vote nay.” 

According to Napoleon Haney, Homewood village manager, the village is working towards the road diet, and came across some challenges regarding funding. 

“We actually created a five-year capital plan where this funding is in the capital plan,” Haney said, adding, “the unfortunate part is, the capital plan is not currently funded.”

The board will take all of the data gathered thus far and come up with some recommendations, he said. 

“We’re hoping the second week of September to bring something to the board,” Haney said.

Related stories: 

• Future uncertain for 183rd Street traffic calming project (Feb. 20, 2024). 
• Making the community safe from shooters and speeders (Aug. 3, 2025).
• Homewood approves 183rd Street lane restructuring, pending funding Oct. 30, 2022). 
• Reimagining a safer 183rd Street: Historic traffic study provides clues for improvements (March 11, 2022).
• Traffic study focuses on 183rd Street safety issues (Nov. 15, 2021).