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Neighbors rally to oppose new school

We are afraid someone will be seriously injured or killed on Ela Road between Central and Algonquin. Cook County has issued a building permit for a large not-for-profit school on a small lot in a residential neighborhood in the middle of the Paul Douglas Forest Preserve.

The residents of the neighborhood and the people who regularly drive on Ela have not been allowed to voice our opposition. A licensed professional engineer told the Cook County Highway Department that the plans don't meet several of the county's own code requirements for traffic safety. Cook County ignored him! The school director ignored him!

They ignored the fact that this stretch of Ela Road is already dangerous and many accidents take place. They ignored the fact that 200 additional cars in and out of the school twice a day will make it even more hazardous.

The school's director has ignored the big picture. She prides herself on the performances given for students' families. It's too bad less than 30 families will get to see their children's performances. The school will have a very small parking lot and there is no "street parking" available within a mile.

The director also says she teaches concern for the environment yet after the building, parking lot and driveway are put in the only grass that will be left on the lot is over the small septic field adjacent to Ela Road. There is no playground and no legal access to the forest preserve. Doesn't she want the children to play outside?

Many of us are parents. None of us would send our children to a school at this location. Would you?

Karen Hailpern and the Highland Woods Neighborhood Association

Cook County, near Hoffman Estates

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