CALUMET CITY — After seeing the success of license plate readers on expressways, Mayor Thaddeus Jones wants to bring the technology to the city’s streets as well.
In his other governmental role as state representative for the 29th District, Jones sponsored the Tamara Clayton Expressway Camera Act, which Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed into law last year.
The bill, named for a postal worker who was fatally shot while driving to work on Interstate 57 in 2019, required the state to replace a previous system of cameras that was low-definition and did not record video with more modern equipment.
"To date, they’ve installed 200 of 399 cameras," Jones said last week. "They’ve caught 16 people using that expressway technology — carjackers, people who’ve been involved in shootings on the expressway."
While the initial focus has been on the Bishop Ford Freeway, Jones said the program will be expanded throughout the south suburbs.
Now, he said, he wants to bring the same technology to Calumet City’s streets.
"It’s a needed tool for our police," Jones said.
In other Calumet City news:
• Roadwork season is about to start, highlighted by two major projects. The city has earmarked $8 million for roadwork on Burnham Avenue and $4 million for Pulaski Road. An additional $4 million is budgeted for work on other streets.
• In an effort to help the city’s businesses to bounce back after pandemic shutdowns and other challenges, the city is offering free, three- to five-minute promos to be aired on Calumet City cable access Ch. 4 and the city’s YouTube page.
"When I started my administration, one of the goals was connecting the community to their city government," Jones said.
He said the city council members and other elected officials also will have the opportunity to produce short videos to help get their message out.
More information on the video program, including how to schedule a shoot, is available by emailing events coordinator/administrative associate Christina Signorelli at csignorelli@calumetcity.org.
• A new planning document, "Aging in Calumet City: A Strategic Guide," was created "in an effort to keep senior residents engaged within the community and (informed of) resources designed to assist them," the city said in a statement.
Calumet City is the first municipality in the south suburbs to become part of the AARP’s Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities.
Jones said some of the city’s funding from the American Rescue Plan Act will be used to help seniors cope with inflation by providing them with gas cards. And he said the city is working with Pete’s Fresh Market to provide free groceries for seniors.
MLK honored in 52nd annual ecumenical service
Keith Nelson leads the West Side Leadership Academy Choir on Saturday at the MLK Ecumenical Celebration at the New Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church in Gary.
MLK honored in 52nd annual ecumenical service
Wiping a tear away, keynote speaker the Rev. Dr. Montia Denee Gardner addresses the congregation Saturday at the MLK Ecumenical Celebration at the New Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church in Gary.
MLK honored in 52nd annual ecumenical service
Bishop Dale L. Cudjoe reads New Testament Scriptures on Saturday at the MLK Ecumenical Celebration at the New Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church in Gary.
MLK honored in 52nd annual ecumenical service
Rev. Dwight Gardner, left, presents the Rev. Pharis D. Evans Sr. Service Award to the Rev. Charles L. Emery on Saturday at the MLK Ecumenical Celebration at the New Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church in Gary.
Conference focuses on issues affecting female veterans
Sabrina Harge, of Chicago, salutes during the posting of colors at the Women Veterans Conference on Saturday at Wicker Park Social Center in Highland.
Carolyn Marsh Polyjohn
Whiting resident and longtime environmentalist Carolyn Marsh walks the area around George Lake on March 23, 2022. Marsh worries the plastic pellets coming from the nearby PolyJohn Enterprises will harm the surrounding environment.
PolyJohn
The plastic pellets are made of polyethylene, which never fully breaks down.
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Attorney Thomas Vanes, of the Lake County public defender’s office, holds up a sketch released by Hammond police following the 1980 homicide of off-duty Hammond police Officer Lawrence J. "Larry" Pucalik.
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Erica Williamson, a paralegal for the Lake County public defender’s office, listens as attorneys talk about their work to clear client Pierre Catlett in the 1980 homicide of off-duty Hammond police Officer Lawrence J. "Larry" Pucalik.
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Crown Point’s Luke Burford scores the winning run in the bottom of the seventh inning while Hanover Central catcher Ethan Medina takes the throw in the Bulldogs’ 4-3 victory on Saturday.
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Hanover Central’s Gunnar Howes makes the throw to first against Crown Point on Saturday.
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Crown Point’s Blake Sabau heads home after his two-run homer gave the Bulldogs a 3-2 lead in the fifth inning against Hanover Central on Saturday.
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Crown Point’s Jessica Carrothers repeats as the Times of Northwest Indiana Girls Basketball Player of the Year for 2022.
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Crown Point’s Jessica Carrothers repeats as the Times of Northwest Indiana Girls Basketball Player of the Year for 2022.
Young people rally against tobacco industry
Boone Grove High School students Lauren Jeffries, 17, and Caden Harretos, 16, members of VOICE Porter County, stand beside their booth Friday at the Takedown Tobacco Day program at Founders Square Park in Portage. VOICE engages young people in living tobacco-free lives.
Washington Park Zoo reopens
Stars and Stripes, a Bengal tiger, is getting an expanded home this year as workers renovate the big cats exhibit at Washington Park Zoo.
Vietnam veterans honored
Joe Baczynski gives the keynote address during the Vietnam Veteran’s Day ceremony Tuesday at the service memorial at Foundation Meadows in Valparaiso.
Vietnam veterans honored
The color guard stands at attention during the Vietnam Veteran’s Day ceremony at the service memorial at Foundation Meadows in Valparaiso.
Hammond Development Corporation unveils commercial kitchen
Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. talks about progress in Hammond during the Hammond Development Corporation commercial kitchen unveiling.
Hammond Development Corporation unveils commercial kitchen
Virginette Fitzpatrick talks about being able to use the Hammond Development Corporation Community Kitchen for her Stella V.ie Café.
Hammond Development Corporation unveils commercial kitchen
As Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. and executive director Jennifer Bussey look on, program director Jackie De Rosa talks about Hammond Development Corporation’s new kitchen.
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April 4, 2022 at 06:57AM
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