information provided by the Office of the Governor
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (May 21, 2019) – Gov. JB Pritzker declared Tuesday, May 21, as Crossing Guard Appreciation Day in Illinois to honor the men and women who help ensure the safety of students throughout Illinois as they walk and bike to school.
“Crossing guards are an integral part of creating safe routes to school for children,” said Acting Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. “Throughout the school year, they are a friendly face that can be found in rain, sun, and snow, guiding our students to safety and providing parents with peace of mind.”
Roughly 420 pedestrians ages 8 to 14, on average, are hurt in vehicle-related incidents every year in Illinois. Without crossing guards, this number would likely be much higher.
Crossing guards not only serve as a visual reminder to motorists to slow down in school zones where children are crossing, but also help students learn safe pedestrian habits, such as looking both ways before stepping onto the road and walking bikes across the street.
