Rough road ahead for drivers on Route 83

Frustrated Antioch officials are considering all of their options for improving Route 83.

Unfortunately, their options are limited.

"The condition of that road is one of the number one complaints we get," said Mayor Dorothy Larson. "From Route 173 to North Avenue, the road is deplorable. People look like they are driving drunk because they are swerving to avoid all of the potholes."

The state owns Route 83 and has postponed road improvements on the highway since 1999.

Any change or improvement made to the road requires approval from the state, which Larson said only adds to the frustration.

"(Governor) Blagojevich doesn't know there is anything north of Chicago," Larson said. "They think we are part of Wisconsin and now we've got to go through another winter and it is just going to break down more."

Brian Williamsen, spokesman for the Illinois Department of Transportation, said the governor's capital plan includes improvements to Route 83.

In September, the Senate unanimously approved Illinois Works, a $25 billion capital program that would fund improvements to state roads, bridges and schools.

The proposal is awaiting House approval.

Illinois Works includes $16.9 million for widening and resurfacing Route 83 from the state line to Petite Lake Road in Lake Villa, Williamsen said.

But if the proposal isn't adopted, there is no telling how long Antioch will have to wait for relief.

"This is just one of many projects throughout the state that could potentially go unfunded, if this capital plan is not pushed though," Williamsen said. "That doesn't mean that they will never get done, but not in the immediate future."

In the meantime, Trustee Bob Caulfield has asked village staff to give the board recommendations at their Dec. 3 meeting about the steps the village can take to alleviate the problems on Route 83.

Caulfield said at the very least, a letter-writing campaign should be started to let the state know the poor condition of Route 83 is a safety hazard.

"It seems like for some reason we're not getting any attention around here," Caulfield said. "The old saying is the squeaky wheel gets the grease. I don't think we've been doing enough squeaking."