What is the problem or opportunity? 

• The City received a request from a resident to install a roadside warning sign to alert motorists of an autistic child.  The City Code does not prohibit the use of children warning signs.  Some children warning signs have been previously installed in the City and are still in use today (e.g., “CHILDREN AT PLAY”); however, the City does not have a formal policy to guide the consideration of such sign requests.  While they do not prohibit the use of children warning signs, the Illinois Department of Transportation discourages their use on the basis of them being ineffective, not legally enforceable and potentially counterproductive.  Other transportation authorities - such as the Institute of Transportation Engineers - suggest that children warning signs may be effective in some circumstances (e.g., children with special needs).   

What can be done to address it?

• On the basis of children warning signs being ineffective, not legally enforceable and potentially counterproductive, the City could formally or informally prohibit their use. 

• On the basis of children warning signs being potentially effective in some circumstances, the City could develop a formal policy to guide the consideration of such sign requests.  The policy could be limited to children with special needs (e.g., AUTISTIC CHILD, BLIND CHILD, DEAF CHILD, DISABLED CHILD) and have a spirit of granting all reasonable requests. 

Last updated 5.4.23

Footnotes

1. Highwood City Code (Title 7 Chapter 3 Traffic Control Signs, Signals and Markings

2. Illinois Department of Transportation (Circular Letter 2011-08 - Children Warning Signs)

3. Phone conversation on 4.28.23 with Illinois Department of Transportation Local Policy and Technology Engineer, Tim Peters

4. Institute of Transportation Engineers Traffic Control Devices Handbook

5. Village of Carol Stream Special Needs & Children at Play Signs Policy

6. Village of Bensenville Special Needs & Children at Play Signs Policy