Visitation tonight for 10-year-old killed in Des Plaines accident

A 10-year-old boy from Des Plaines who was killed while crossing the street on his bike will lie in state Saturday at a church in Mount Prospect.

Visitation was from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday for Jimmy Alanis at Friedrich's Funeral Home in Mount Prospect. He will lie in state from 11 a.m. to noon at St. Cecilia's Church, 700 S. Meier Road, Mount Prospect.

Alanis was riding his bike across the four-lane Elmhurst Road around 4:40 p.m. Wednesday when he was hit by a van, according to the Cook County Sheriff's police. He was near his home on the 7500 block of Elmhurst Road. Police said that the van driver does not appear to be at fault.

Alanis was a 5th grader at Salt Creek Elementary School in Elk Grove Village.

Daniel Schweers, the Elk Grove Township Elementary District 59 Superintendent, said the 10-year-old was very popular with teachers and students.

"He was just a very happy young man," he said. "He was well-known to the staff and the teachers and a delight to be around."

Counselors were on hand this week at the school to talk to students about the loss.

"It's just hard to wrap your arms around this kind of tragedy," Schweers said. "When it's one of their classmates, it's very jarring."

Funeral service and burial likely will be private, according to the funeral home. For more information, contact the funeral home at (847) 437-6208.