Readers walk the walk, talk the talk on sidewalk blockers

So much to cram in this week. I'm going to start with the readers who shared their angst about last week's column on people who block sidewalks for pedestrians with parked cars and trucks. Thanks for sharing.

David Borck of Arlington Heights says, "people like that just don't think about or care about others. But, the solution won't come from the walkers who are affected. They often aren't neighbors of the rude, uncaring car owners. So, the only solutions are: more publicity and police action."

Meanwhile, John Tufo of Woodridge says there's sidewalk blocking on his street. "The reason is the village won't allow parking on the street, which I think is ridiculous. So people have no choice but to park on the ends of their driveways," he e-mailed.

And a Lake in the Hills resident adds, "I have a one-car garage and two other people who drive so a total of three cars. I am forced to park sideways in order not to block the sidewalk because of a ticket I received at 1 a.m. We are not allowed to park in the street and we are not supposed to take up guest parking but I have to every day. I understand not parking during the day but instead of complaining, how about knocking on the door to see if someone is sick, dying, bored, lazy etc?"

Carol Stream's George Thompson who inspired the column has the last word, saying he hopes it would generate enforcement action. But, "after all this is America where people will put $30,000 worth of vehicles out on the driveway so they can store $300 worth of junk in the garage," he wrote.

Walk onTalking of walking, the Active Transportation Alliance is celebrating a victory in the General Assembly after both chambers approved a law requiring drivers to stop for pedestrians in a crosswalk. The current policy gives motorists the option of yielding at crosswalks. But the status quo is confusing for pedestrians and drivers, is difficult for police to enforce and causes accidents, the ATA says. The new law "means safer streets," said Rob Sadowsky, executive director of the advocacy group for cyclists and pedestrians. Gov. Pat Quinn still has to approve the measure.But reader Mark Steffens of Villa Park strongly disagrees. He writes, "a pedestrian should have to wait at a crosswalk. If pedestrians assume a car will stop, they risk injury when the car doesn't. If they know a car does NOT have to stop, most will wait - to me that is the safer alternative."Flotsam and jetsambull; Adding to the new cast of characters at the Illinois tollway is Doug Kucia. The former chief operating officer at the state's Central Management Services is now the tollway's chief of staff. Kucia, who will be paid $141,000 annually, previously served as chief of staff for Cook County Commissioner Forrest Claypool and is an adjunct faculty member at Northwestern University.bull; Train lovers rejoice. It's National Train Day this Saturday and you can celebrate from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Union Station. Amtrak is providing model train displays, tours of railroad equipment and trains plus children's activities. There's a special exhibit on "The Blues Journey and its Connection to the Railroad," which will feature live Blues performances.bull; Stuck on the tarmac and you can't take it anymore? Well, you shouldn't have to. A federal law banning domestic airlines from holding passengers for more than three hours in parked aircraft took effect Thursday. After two hours, passengers should be allowed food and water and after three hours - it's back to the terminal unless there are significant safety or security considerations. It even requires working bathrooms.