Letters: Something needs to be done to discourage speeders on DuSable Lake Shore Drive

Chicago Tribune

19-04-2025

I was driving my family to the C2E2 comic expo at McCormick Place last Sunday morning. Our route took us down one of America's most scenic roadways: DuSable Lake Shore Drive. Traffic was busy but not slow. All the drivers moved five miles above the stated 40 mph speed limit.
We were driving south by the Lincoln Park Zoo when the driver of a Mercedes SUV came flying up in the left lane, found a car's width between my minivan and the car ahead, swung across two lanes, passed a row of cars ahead and swerved back to the middle lane, driving like he had just robbed a bank. Then the Mercedes driver got stuck behind an unintentional four-vehicle wall.
I could see the middle-aged man gesturing wildly in his car, clearly enraged at those who were not involved in the same race he was, before he found the narrowest of space between the obstructors and sped ahead, rolling down his window and giving us all the middle finger for unintentionally stealing seconds from his life.
My Midwest upbringing made me forgive such action; I created a narrative that the driver needed a bathroom. That said, the frequency of such interactions is why I support state Sen. Sara Feigenholtz's bill to study using artificial intelligence cameras to slow down such reckless behavior. ('AI-powered cameras may come to Lake Shore Drive,' April 16).
This makes sense for three reasons. First, speeding on the drive is rampant, and I've rarely seen a driver pulled over, something I forgive, as doing so would put the officer and public at risk. Second, the complete disregard for the speed limit adds to a sense of lawlessness in our city. Third, speeding is pointless. The entire length of DuSable Lake Shore Drive is around 15 miles. Going 20 mph over the speed limit saves you a few minutes off the whole route.
The whole advantage of the drive is to enjoy the view. If you're looking for speed, we have plenty of depressing highways you can enjoy.
As the Tribune article notes, DuSable Lake Shore Drive is dangerous. We should do something to slow people down for our sanity and safety.
— Nicholas Conant, Chicago
Ageism at shelters
Ageism is quite a subtle hard-to-fight prejudice. One organization is notorious for an unintentional form of this prejudice: animal shelters.
Animal shelters broadcast they are bursting at the seams with animals in desperate need of a home. They cry: 'We are waiving adoption fees!' But senior citizens may have their adoption applications declined or ignored.
Shelter may be under the apparent impression that anyone 65 years old or older is going to drop dead as soon as they walk out with an adopted animal. But youth does not guarantee long-term security for a pet.
The simple truth is that seniors are more stable and financially secure than much of the population. They will not be subject to a sudden loss of income from a layoff or firing. Or move to an apartment that does not accept pets, which would lead to adopted animals being returned to the shelter.
Shelters' logic is to keep a dog or cat in a cage rather than take a chance with anyone age 60 or older.
— Peggy Cassidy, Franklin Park
Police at Tesla dealer
A recent Saturday, I walked past the Tesla dealership on Rush Street. There were about 30 people standing and silently holding signs, decrying Elon Musk and the current administration. They were not blocking the sidewalk; they were not accosting pedestrians; they were not preventing anyone from walking into the dealership; they were not interfering with traffic.
Across the street stood about a dozen police officers talking among themselves because there was no activity requiring their intervention.
On another occasion, I saw not a single protester, yet two police officers were stationed outside the showroom entrance.
Given the city's claim of limited police resources, how does this make any sense?
— Jeanne Martineau, Chicago
Libraries are gems
Regarding the editorial 'Leave libraries alone. They more than pay their way' (April 13): How I loved the picture of Eric Phung reading to his son at the library!
My father took me to the library when I was a tot. It was a highly anticipated outing as we walked the several blocks to the Uptown branch. I was told that I would have my own card when I could print my name. I still remember the elation when this memorable event took place.
Parents should take advantage of this wonderful tool. Libraries can create a lifelong love of reading.
I have started volunteering at my local library and am a bit disappointed at the rather low patronage.
— Carole Bogaard, Oak Lawn
Ballpark memories
Kudos to Ron Grossman for his memory-prompting April 13 story 'Chicago's Field of Dreams.'
The year was 1946 when a family fishing vacation in northern Wisconsin was cut short because I had to return home to Chicago to play in a high-stakes 16-inch softball playoff game at Thillens Stadium between Chicago newspaper carrier teams.
Thillens Stadium turned out to be a field of dashed dreams, as I was devastated by our loss and consequent missed trip to Detroit to play the Detroit newspaper-carrier championship team.
However, members of our carrier team formed the nucleus of the Lobos, a Chicago Hermosa Park neighborhood team that went on to become the 1955 Illinois state 16-inch softball champions.