Vote to build highway, Stolman says

My father-in-law, who is 86, recently underwent quadruple bypass surgery. He was given "new life" through modern technology. A new arterial system replaced his clogged arteries to allow for the required circulation that would enable him to have a better quality of life.

Lake County's current road system was designed in the 1920s, around the same time my father-in-law was born. Although there has been enormous population growth since then, more than 40 percent just over the past two decades, the road system hasn't changed at all in the western portion of our county.

It, too, has a clogged circulation system. Local roads are forced to carry regional traffic. The amount of travel on Lake County roads has more than doubled since 1990. Gridlock is choking the arteries of Lake County. There is an immediate need to address the system before it is too late.

The purpose of the Route 53 referendum is transparent. The voter, just like my father-in-law, is being given a life-changing choice: Do something affirmative, choose quality of life, or, remain with the status quo, sitting in traffic where our roadways resemble parking lots.

Vote "yes" on April 7th to send a message to state legislators: Build new roads where necessary.

The project will receive input from all the communities affected. Already more than 30 communities, from Mundelein to Highland Park, as well as the Lake County Municipal League, Northwest Municipal Conference and Barrington Area Council of Governments, dozens of civic, labor unions and chambers of commerce throughout Lake County have passed resolutions supporting the Route 53 extension.

Additionally, modern technology will be used to ensure that building Route 53 is in concert, not conflict, with the environment.

Whether the eventual construction is a parkway, boulevard, or other configuration, the time has come for voters to finally say, "We are exhausted from the countywide gridlock. Solve it by extending Route 53 north from Lake-Cook Road."