Oak Park residents are facing growing public safety concerns, and the situation seems to be worsening. At the intersection of Taylor and Adams, few vehicles comes to a full stop at crosswalks — just one example of how traffic laws are being routinely ignored. This puts pedestrians at serious risk, and it’s not an isolated issue.
Another concern is the frequent smell of marijuana on Oak Park streets, especially from passing vehicles. While recreational cannabis is legal in Illinois, the pervasive odor — often near schools, parks, and residential areas — has become a public nuisance and, at times, a health issue. Yet Democratic leadership has shown little interest in addressing the unintended consequences of legalization.
Compounding these problems is the rise in uninsured motorists. A friend of mine was recently rear-ended by an uninsured driver whose car smelled strongly of marijuana. Beyond the financial burden, the incident highlighted the danger of impaired, unaccountable drivers. The Illinois Supreme Court’s 2024 People v. Redmond decision, which ruled that the smell of cannabis alone does not justify legal action, has made it even harder for law enforcement to respond effectively.
Despite these challenges, the village continues to prioritize infrastructure changes like adding more bicycle lanes and boulevards. While promoting cycling has its merits, this approach feels out of step with the community’s most pressing concerns. Many drivers — especially non-residents — are unfamiliar with the intent behind these new boulevards, increasing risks for cyclists rather than reducing them.
Moreover, replacing street parking with bike lanes has frustrated homeowners who rely on that parking for daily use. The move has sparked tension and contributed to a growing sense of disconnect between residents and local leadership. Policies that disrupt daily life without addressing core safety issues only deepen mistrust.
Instead of pushing through top-down infrastructure projects, Oak Park should refocus on enforcing existing traffic laws. Cracking down on rolling stops, speeding, and distracted driving would go much further in improving safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists alike. Addressing the rise of uninsured, potentially impaired drivers should also be a top priority.
Finally, leaders must take more proactive steps to deal with the fallout from marijuana legalization. The current legal framework leaves too many gaps when it comes to impaired driving enforcement.
Oak Park’s leadership must recognize that cosmetic changes won’t fix underlying problems. True public safety requires responsive, grounded governance that listens to residents, enforces existing laws, and protects everyone using our roads.
Richard Willis
Oak Park
