Lombard drivers face 20-mph school zones again after Glenbard East High School opened its doors Wednesday, Aug. 12, and six elementary schools open Aug. 26.
Lombard Police issued a back-to-school safety reminder the same day District 87 high schools welcomed students back, calling on drivers to slow down in school zones, put phones away, watch for children walking and biking, and stop for school buses loading or unloading students.
The department posted the reminder through the Village of Lombard's official account, noting that drivers should expect more children on foot, more frequent bus stops and heavier traffic near schools. The village urged motorists to allow extra time and stay alert.
Elementary schools open Aug. 26
The warning carries extra weight for neighborhoods near Lombard Elementary District 44 campuses. Butterfield, Madison, Manor Hill, Park View, Pleasant Lane and Wm. Hammerschmidt elementary schools, along with Glenn Westlake Middle School, open Wednesday, Aug. 26, for the first day of K-8 classes.
That means school zone speed limits will activate around additional Lombard intersections starting Aug. 26.
What the law says
Under Illinois law, the speed limit drops to 20 mph in designated school zones on school days when children are present, between 6:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. A first offense carries a minimum $150 fine; a second or subsequent violation jumps to at least $300. Unlike a standard speeding ticket, a school zone conviction is mandatory if a driver is found guilty, meaning court supervision is not an option.
Bus stops matter too. Passing a stopped school bus with flashing red lights is a separate violation.
Four rules from Lombard Police
The department's reminder boils down to four specific asks:
- Slow down in school zones.
- Put phones away while driving.
- Watch for children on foot and on bikes.
- Stop for school buses that are loading or unloading.
As we reported Aug. 14, new parking restrictions also took effect near Glenbard East this month, adding to the changes drivers should expect in the area.
Residents who want to report unsafe driving near schools can contact Lombard Police's non-emergency line at (630) 873-4400.
