Bumper cars in Elgin

Courier News

June 7, 2011

Six injured: Six people were sent to Elgin hospitals with minor injuries after a two-car crash at 4:20 p.m. Monday at Harrison and Jay streets, police said. Elgin resident Maria Vera, 35, was cited with failure to yield to a left turn and no valid driver’s license after the car she was driving struck an auto driven by Amanda Delapena, 33 (no hometown listed), police said. Delapena and four children riding in her car were taken to Provena Saint Joseph Hospital, police said. Vera declined hospital transport at the scene, but requested hospital transport after arriving at the Elgin jail and was taken to Sherman Hospital with minor injuries, according to authorities. Police also cited Delapena with driving on a suspended license and no proof of insurance.

Source:

http://couriernews.suntimes.com/news/5807999-418/6-hurt-in-two-vehicle-crash-in-elgin-injuries-minor.html

Jobs created, saved...

...or perpetuated.

We blogged here about the Elgin streetscape project, and warned that brick pavers don't weather well under severe weather conditions like ice and snow.

But we didn't realize we'd have problems so soon. Just last year they installed brick crosswalks along Douglas, south of Kimball to Highland.

The other day they had the road closed at the City Hall parking lot while they worked on the brick crosswalk.

Then yesterday they were at the Kimball crosswalk, doing the same thing. I didn't have my camera but I watched them for a few minutes. There were two guys and an Alaniz Landscaping Group forklift blocking the lane. There was a large scoop resting on the sidewalk, filled with sand. And the forklift bore a pallet-load of brick pavers. And they had a wet saw.

The workers were digging bricks out of the crosswalk, staring at them, tapping them, and then putting them in. I assume they were replacing some of them as well.

Keep in mind, these bricks were installed less than a year ago.

I hope this is warranty work, but we are talking about a government project.

Here's a photo of the crosswalk today.
Oh, and don't forget...your property taxes are due today.