4-way stop needed at Bent and Illinois

On the corner of Bent and Illinois in Elgin, two stop signs exist, both on Bent. Pace buses, school buses, fire engines, ambulances and 1,500 to 2,200 cars come to these signs daily.

Of course, fire trucks and ambulances, sirens wailing, have right of way — so to speak — but, and here is the problem. We have 20 to 30 cars a day that seem to be color blind. We have had six accidents, and too many near misses to count.

Many of us have been witness to this, and I have rushed out in panic to help and call 911.

I have brought this to the attention of police and they agree we should have a 4-way stop but the only way to get it done is to pester, pester and pester the city if we wish to see a change.

To compound matters, the area is filled with children riding bikes and chasing balls. Bent is used as a shortcut between Route 25, Liberty and Villa. There was also a hit and run crash in which a pregnant woman, when hit by a stop sign runner, was pushed 50 feet over the curb and just barely missed a tree.

Another panic attack for me, another 911 call, and a woman, pale and badly shaken, but thank God, not hurt. Perhaps it will take a dead child before this is seen as a good enough reason to do what is right.

I pray this is seen as important.

Molly A. Patton

Elgin