The Surprising Reason Central Avenue's Speed Limit Is Only 25 MPH

If you live in Oak Forest you are aware that Central has a speed limit of 25 mph. Many people complain about the low speed limit compared to surrounding streets. They assume that it is a speed trap, just another way that the man is sticking it to the working class. They assume that it is a ploy by the crooked powers-that-be to squeeze money from the residents of Oak Forest to line their greedy pockets. If you think this or any thing close to this, you would be wrong, very wrong.

It goes back to 1975 when life was different. Before cable t.v., social media, or the convenience of cell phones, Central Avenue had a speed limit of 40 m.p. The High School had just been built in 1971 and with the Acorn Library and the Oak Forest Park District all being within a few blocks of one another, Central Avenue between Albert and 151st Street began to be a place where children would frequently walk. Mothers began complaining that the speed limit of Central Avenue through this area was too high and there should be a light at the corner of Central and Albert where the Park District and the Library stand across the street from each other.

They contacted the City of Oak Forest. The mayor at the time was James W. Jesk Jr. and he agreed. Sadly, the City can not make this decision. It is the Cook County Highway Division that makes this decision and they disagreed. The speed limit stood and no traffic light was installed. For 3 years, the residents of Oak Forest complained with no avail. It took a terrible tragedy to occur that would forever change the speed limit on Central Avenue.

Christine DeNova was a 12 year old girl who was a 7th grader at Arbor Park Middle School. She had wavy hair, an easy smile and lived on Green Street. On May 11, 1975 she was struck and killed by a motorist while she was crossing the street at the intersection of Albert Drive and Central Avenue. She was coming home from a youth group meeting at Oak Forest Park District. Oak Forest residents mourned for the death of such a wonderful and young child and they mourned it even more because it could have been prevented.

For the next few days following Christine's senseless death, Oak Forest residents rallied. They protested, they marched, they made phone calls and wrote letters. Don Gorman, commissioner of Oak Forest Park District at the time, led a rally of over 1,000 citizens at the intersection all demanding the speed limit be changed. This back lash had an effect on the Cook County Highway Division. After 2 days of protesting the people finally got what they wanted. On May 14, Cook County Board President, George Dunne, ordered the speed limit to 25 miles per hour. "It's regrettable it takes the death of a child to bring about these changes," Dunne said. The speed limit changed to 25 mph from the city limits on the north end of Central Avenue all the way to just shy of 167th on the south end. Oak Forest residents celebrated their victory while grieving the life of a little girl, one of their own.

The speed limit has stood the test of time. It has been over 40 years since Christina's death caused Central's speed limit to be reduced to 25 m.p.h. and it seems it will stay that way. So the next time you are in a hurry and cursing the slow speed down Central Avenue, just remember, it is that way for a very good reason.