Safety First

Dear Parents,

Hawthorn District 73 was informed recently of a bus safety concern regarding the railroad crossing on Butterfield Road south of Illinois Route 60.

By law, school buses must stop at all railroad crossings, then the driver must open the door and get a visual of the tracks to be sure the tracks are clear of any trains.  This particular railroad crossing is located close to a curve in the tracks and bus drivers must creep forward to visually view the tracks.  Bus drivers can do this without being on the tracks but it is not an ideal situation.  Hawthorn District 73 is committed to the safety of all our students and is working with the Village of Vernon Hills, our police resource officer, and our busing company, Lakeside Transportation in reevaluating this crossing.

Sincerely,

Nick Brown
Hawthorn Superintendent of Schools