Street Lighting Programs

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Overview

The Village Board of Trustees has made street lighting a critical infrastructure asset to expand in the community. Street lighting improves visibility and can enhance safety along a corridor and within a residential neighborhood. The Village of Mount Prospect will install residential and corridor streetlights every year based on our criteria (Priority Matrix) and available funds. The Village will consider pedestrian lighting on an individual, case-by-case basis, downtown and near other high pedestrian locations. 

The Community Investment Program (CIP) within the Village Budget allocates funding for the Street Light Programs. The Priority Matrix will include estimates of the cost to determine future funding amounts in the CIP.  Village staff will also consider other funding sources for new street lighting such as but not limited to the Illinois Smart Street Lighting Program, Congestion Mitigation & Air Quality (CMAQ) Program, Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP), Invest in Cook Program, and Safe Routes to School Program.

The Priority Matrix, available funding, input from the Village Board of Trustees and staff, will guide the shaping of both the Residential and Corridor Street Lighting Programs.  

How are street lights prioritized?

Determining where to install new residential street lighting will be based on the type of street with collector streets given a higher priority than local streets.  The Priority Matrix ranks missing street light segments on collector streets based on many factors, including traffic volume, sidewalk, and bike routes. Elements will also include nearby destinations such as schools, parks, churches, shopping, and restaurants when prioritizing projects. 
 
A request for a single ComEd-owned street light will be handled on a case-by-case basis by Village staff as submitted.

Residential Lighting Priority Matrix

How do I request lighting to be installed on my street?

Through a petition, the community may request to install street lighting on a residential street not identified in the Priority Matrix or appeal to move a location to a higher ranking. A petition for street lighting is to identify the street name and beginning/ending points.  At least 50% of those properties directly impacted (both sides of the affected street) must sign the petition for Village staff to process the request unless directed by the Director of Public Works. 

Village staff will then develop a conceptual plan and engineer’s estimate of the cost.  The Village Engineer will present the request to the Transportation Safety Commission along with the residents and business owners (if applicable).  The Commission’s recommendation(s) will then be presented to the Village Board of Trustees with residents and business owners along the street.  Should the Village Board of Trustees approve the project, the Village staff will develop plans and specifications for construction. Poles will be located at intersections and spaced no greater than 300’ apart per Village Code on Village streets.
 
A request for a single ComEd-owned street light is to identify the location.  The street light may be located at an intersection or a maximum 300’ from an existing street light. Village staff will contact ComEd to determine Agreement requirements and a good location.  Village staff will then send a survey to those properties directly impacted by a street light, typically two on the near side and two on the far side closest to the street light.  Unanimous support from the properties is required to sign an Agreement with ComEd. 
No response from a property is considered no objection and, therefore, support for the street light.  Village staff will not proceed without unanimous consent unless otherwise directed by the Director of Public Works or Village Board of Trustees. 

Note: A request for multiple street lights in succession are to be Village-owned street lights. Please follow the petition process as described above unless otherwise directed by the Director of Public Works or Village Board of Trustees.