McHenry County Blog

A press release from the Crystal Lake Police Department:

Three Car Crash on Route 14 near Intersection of Route 176

On Tuesday, April 30, 2013, emergency crews from the Crystal Lake Fire Rescue and Crystal Lake Police Departments responded to a report of a multi-vehicle crash on RT 14 near the intersection of RT 176 at 12:50 PM.

Upon arrival, crews determined three vehicles had been involved, and that three lanes of the four-lane highway were obstructed.

Fire Rescue evaluated all occupants of the vehicles and transported three subjects to Centegra Hospital-Woodstock with what were believed to be not life-threatening injuries.

Investigation into the crash revealed that a 2012 GMC Terrain, operated by Robert Clish (67) of Harvard, IL had exited a private drive east of the intersection, intending to travel east on RT 14.

Clish’s vehicle collided with an eastbound 2008 GMC Denali, operated by Chad Chavez (33) of Crystal Lake, and subsequently a westbound 2005 Ford Freestyle, operated by Christopher Otto (37) of Crystal Lake.

All three vehicles sustained extensive damage, rendering them inoperable and requiring they be towed from the scene.

Robert Clish was cited for:

• 625 ILCS 5/11-906 Failure to Yield from a Private Drive
• 625 ILCS 5/3-707 Operation of an Uninsured Motor Vehicle

Chad Chavez was cited for:

• 625 ILCS 5/3-413(f) Expired Registration
• 625 ILCS 5/3-707 Operation of an Uninsured Motor Vehicle

Christopher Otto was cited for:

• 625 ILCS 5/3-707 Operation of an Uninsured Motor Vehicle

Traffic in the area was redirected or restricted to single lanes for approximately 25 minutes as crews treated the injured, investigated the crash and removed the vehicles and debris from the roadway.

A press release from the Crystal Lake Police Department:

Four Car Crash Injures Two at Intersection of Route 176 and Route 31

On April 19th, 2013 at 2:55 PM, emergency crews from the Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department and Crystal Lake Police Department responded to the intersection of Illinois Rt. 31 and Illinois Rt. 176 for a report of a multi-vehicle crash.

Upon arrival crews determined four vehicles had been involved in a crash in the northbound lanes, on the north side of the intersection.

Paramedics transported two drivers to Centegra-Northern Illinois Medical Center, McHenry, one believed to have non life-threatening injuries, while the other was in critical condition.

Initial investigation into the cause of the crash revealed all four vehicles had been northbound on Rt. 31, in the inner lane, when three came to a stop due to traffic congestion.

The fourth vehicle collided with one of the vehicles, careened off and impacted a second, forcing that vehicle into the final vehicle involved.

Traffic was diverted from the area for approximately one hour as crews tended to the injured, conducted the on-scene investigation, and cleared the vehicles and debris from the roadway.

Crystal Lake Police continue to investigate this incident, including interviewing witnesses and all participants. No citations have been issued nor have any arrests occurred at this time.

The identity of the subjects involved is being withheld pending notification of family of those injured.

Re-configuring the dangerous Route 176 and Briarwood Drive intersection has been going on since at least April.

With the amount of traffic headed across Route 176 to get to Woodstock or McHenry County College by the back way, it’s a wonder there were not more T-bone crashes by speeding cars on 176.

This is the intersection that was ignored by the traffic folks who advised McHenry County College what improvements would be needed to put a minor league baseball stadium right across Route 14 from Lucas Road, the connection from Briarwood to MCC.  Fortunately, Crystal Lake City Councilman Jeff Thorsen pointed out the severe deficiency in his arguments against rezoning the property.

On a trip west, I saw the sign above.

A dangerous corner made safer through the cooperation of the Crystal Lake City Council and the Illinois Department of Transportation.

It’s now possible to take the shortcut to Woodstock past Centegra’s Woodstock Hospital on Doty Road without worrying that one might complete the final journey in an ambulance.

And, the extent of this post is an indication why highway improvements are so valued by politicians.

People appreciate them.

Except those who have to stop where they did not have to do so before.

From Lakewood’s Police Chief Lawrence Howell:

“Last night at approximately 8:53pm a fatal accident occurred at the north intersection of Rt. 47 and Rt. 176.

“The Lakewood Police Department assisted by McHenry County Sheriff  Department, Lakewood Fire Department, and the McHenry County Coroners Office responded.

“The accident occurred when a north bound Rt. 47 Jeep Liberty driven by William A. Cizek Jr. age 49 of 1101 N. Hart Ave. Harvard, Il. attempted to turned left on Rt. 176 into the path of a south bound Rt. 47 Suzuki motorcycle driven by Christopher J. Ludovice age 54 of 1280 Victoria Ln. Elgin, Il.

“The motorcycle struck the Jeep Liberty and the driver Mr. Ludovice and is passenger his 16 year old daughter where thrown from the motorcycle.

“Mr. Ludovice died of his injuries and his daughter is in critical condition at Centegra Memorial Hospital.

“Neither motorcycle occupants were wearing helmets and alcohol is not suspected at this time.

“The driver of the Jeep, Mr. Cizek, was cited for making an improper left turn.

“We are being assisted by the McHenry County Sheriff’s Department with an accident reconstruction.”

The first state highway roundabout in McHenry County is being planned by the Illinois Department of Transportation where Mt. Tabor Road and Haligus Road join Route 176 in a dangerous, dangerous dogleg intersection.

Unlike the improvement at less badly aligned intersection of Briarwood Road and Route 176, wholly in Crystal Lake and initiated by Crystal Lake, the improvement farther west on the state route has been initiated by IDOT, apparently without local knowledge.

At least I would assume that Crystal Lake had no knowledge because when I filed a Freedom of Information request for “documents pertaining to efforts to improve the intersection of Mt. Thabor Road, Haligus Road and Route 176,” I received a response indicated that no such documents had been found.

Likewise the Village of Lakewood had no knowledge until the most recent IDOT highway plan was released.

A press release from the Crystal Lake Police Department:

“On April 12th, at approximately 3:00 pm, emergency crews from the Crystal Lake Fire Rescue and Crystal Lake Police Departments responded to the intersection of Illinois Route 176 and Mt. Thabor Road for a report of a traffic crash.

“Upon arrival crews located a Gold 2000 Chrysler Concorde and a Black 2007 Harley-Davidson Motorcycle that had collided in the roadway.

“The operator of the motorcycle, John C. Winkelman (54) of Marengo, IL was seriously injured, as he was ejected from the motorcycle upon impact.

“He was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.

“He was transported to Centegra Memorial Medical Center in Woodstock.

“The driver of the Chrysler, Kimberly Randall (27) of Woodstock, suffered minor injuries, and was transported to the hospital as well.

“Despite all life-saving measures attempted, John C. Winkelman succumbed to injuries he sustained as a result of this crash.

“An initial investigation into the crash revealed the Harley-Davidson had been traveling westbound on Rt. 176, and the Chrysler southbound Mt. Thabor Road.

“After stopping at the posted stop sign, the Chrysler then entered the intersection, intending to turn left (eastbound) onto Rt. 176, in the path of the approaching Harley-Davidson, when the vehicles collided.

“Traffic was diverted from the area for nearly three hours as the on-scene investigation was conducted.

“This matter remains under investigation by the Crystal Lake Police Department and the McHenry county Coroner’s Office.”

= = = = =
The Daily Herald reports that Winkelman served as a Captain with the Huntley Fire Protection District and was known as “Winky.”

Here’s an another article about an accident at this dangerous intersection.

During his first term in office, Democrat Speaker Mike Madigan lavished pork money on State Rep. Jack Franks.

Then, his district was north of Crystal Lake Avenue.

Franks proudly announced a $500,000 grant to improve the intersection of Route 176 and Walkup Avenue.

Photo of a big check made out to Crystal Lake.

Now, twelve years later, with House Minority Leader Lee Daniels having earmarked another $500,000 of pork to benefit Republican challenger Tom Salvi’s campaign, construction will begin.

I am sure there is a message here about government’s ability to complete improvements in a timely fashion, but I’ll bet you can phrase it better than I can.

A press release from McHenry County government:

Walkup Road Construction Slated for Spring 2012

CRYSTAL LAKE, IL – The McHenry County Division of Transportation is announcing that roadway construction will begin this Spring on improvements to Walkup Road.

This project was separated into three segments. Segment 1 was completed in 2011 and segments 2 and 3 will start in 2012 and are anticipated to be open to traffic by November 2012. All work is anticipated to be completed in the Spring of 2013.

Segment 2 is the intersection of Walkup Road at Illinois Route 176.

Segment 3 is from Crystal Springs Road to Bull Valley Road.

The first segment, now completed, was from Live Oak Road to Crystal Springs Road.

The upcoming improvements for Segments 2 and 3 will address congestion and safety along the Walkup Road corridor and at the Illinois Route 176 intersection. Improvements will include:

• Roadway widening, resurfacing and reconstruction
• Traffic signal upgrades at the intersection of Illinois Route 176
• New traffic signals installed at Mason Hill Road
• Completion of the bike path connection from Illinois Route 176 to Veteran Acres Park and the bike path constructed as part of Segment 1 in 2011

This approximately $11,000,000 improvement project is being funded in part by the Federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Program. Local funding is also being used from the City of Crystal Lake, the McHenry County Division of Transportation and the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Utility relocation work is underway now and will increase as spring approaches.

A construction informational meeting will be held this Spring to outline the project in greater detail and inform local residents and business owners of the construction schedule, plans, and how they can stay informed during construction.

Visit the project website at www.walkuproad.com, connect with us on Facebook: http://facebook.com/walkupconstruct or follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/walkupconstruct to obtain the latest project information.

Main Street will be closed on Tuesday December 20th from 7 am to 3 pm from Sherman Street to IL 176.

The roadways will be closed due to the continuing water main installation along IL 176.

Both of these closures are pending any significant weather event which would delay the contractor from working.

A press from the Crystal Lake Police Department:

Roll-over traffic crash – Rt. 176, Crystal Lake

On Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at approximately 8:36 a.m. emergency crews from the Crystal Lake Fire Rescue and Police Departments responded to Illinois Route 176 ¼ mile east of Bryn Mawr Lane for a report of a motor vehicle crash in which a vehicle had rolled over.

Upon arrival emergency crews tended to the occupants of the single vehicle involved; Alma Mendez, 25 of Marengo, IL, and her two sons; one two years old, and the other six weeks old.

It was determined through a subsequent investigation that Mendez’s vehicle, a 1997 GMC Jimmy, had been eastbound on Rt. 176 when loss of control occurred and the vehicle left the roadway.

The vehicle entered the ditch on the south side of the highway, rolling on its side multiple times, before coming to rest in a tree line.

While unconfirmed, it was reported Mendez had become distracted attempting to remove an insect from within the vehicle.

No other vehicles or utilities were involved. Several passers-by had stopped to provide aid, and assisted the occupants from the vehicle.

Alma Mendez and her children were transported by ambulance to Centegra Memorial Hospital, Woodstock.

d with a seatbelt or child safety seats within the vehicle.

The vehicle incurred extensive damage.

Traffic on Rt. 176 was reduced to one lane, and intermittently blocked for approximately forty minutes as the scene was investigated and the vehicle and debris was removed.

Alma Mendez was cited for

• Improper Lane Usage,
• Operation of an Uninsured Motor Vehicle, and
• Operation of a Motor Vehicle Without a Valid Driver’s License.

Probably few people remember when in the first term of State Rep. Jack Franks, he announced a $500,000 grant to Crystal Lake to make the intersection of Walkup Road and Route 176 more traffic-friendly.

Not to be outdone, House Republican Leader allocated $500,000 in so-called “member initiates” to non-incumbent GOP challenger Tom Salvi during Salvi’s almost successful campaign to unseat the then first-termer Franks.

Now, it’s 2011. Over halfway into 2012.

I see from the McHenry County Board’s Transportation Committee agenda that its members are interviewing

• Baxter & Woodman
• Christopher B. Burke Engineering, Ltd.
• HR Green
• Thomas Engineering

The interviews also involve the awarding to contracts north of the completed widening and re-surfacing work.