Fast response by IDOT on new sign

Gus Philpott
Woodstock Advocate
February 6, 2011

A few months ago the 35MPH sign on Route 120 near Marian Central disappeared. The sign was for westbound traffic at Broadway, just west of Marian Central Catholic High School, where the speed limit dropped from 45MPH to 35MPH. When the sign disappeared (wind? theft?), a driver could try to claim that he was still in the 45MPH zone and possibly escape a speeding ticket, either during a traffic stop or in court.

Often, it works to report missing signs to your local police department or the Streets Department of the town in which you live. In this case, I reported it to Woodstock Public Works twice, and no new sign was erected. So I called the IDOT Sign Shop myself. Within 10 days a new sign was up.

Signs on State highways (such as Route 120) are replaced by the State Highway Department (IDOT), so the local office must relay the request. Perhaps it was just a coincidence. Or perhaps the method of reporting by a municipality results in a request ending up at the bottom of a very long list of signs to be replaced.

Be alert for missing signs (intersection signs, stop signs, speed limit signs) and report them promptly. The signs are important to your safety (in your car and to your bank account).

Thanks to IDOT for the speedy replacement of the missing sign. And thanks, too, to Woodstock Public Works for trying to get the sign replaced. I'm sure you forwarded the requests promptly.