State representative Renee Kosel heard about the project, and asked if Officer Romano would be willing to expand his efforts into a statewide campaign. With the assistance of representative Kosel and Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr., Officer Romano testified before the Illinois State Legislature and helped to re-write the state law as it pertained to school zone speeding violations. The revision included a mandatory additional fine of $50 that was directed into a dedicated fund in the individual school district where the violation occurred. The bill was signed into law by then Governor George Ryan on August 13, 1999.
After the law was enacted, Al and a business partner started a not for profit corporation Project CLASS (Caution Lights At State Schools) designed to assist school districts statewide in their efforts to install school zone warning lights in their districts. Congressman Jackson and Representative Kosel assisted by sponsoring a federal grant that would fund initial purchase of warning lights for qualified school districts in their respective legislative districts. Project CLASS was ultimately responsible for installation of 86 school zone warning lights in Congressman Jackson and Representative Kosel’s districts alone.
Al’s most recent accomplishment was participating as one of three Matteson village employees responsible for the conceptualization, design and implementation of a high water warning system being used jointly by the State of Illinois and the Village of Matteson. The tragic drowning of a motorist that had driven around road closure barricades into 11 feet of water on Governor’s Highway under the E. J. & E Railroad viaduct prompted the three employees to take action. The goal of this project was to warn and ultimately prevent motorists from driving into either of the two viaducts in Matteson that flood during heavy rains.
The team utilized rolling gates, high water sensors linked to a satellite communication system, solar powered flashing yellow lights and scrolling message boards to communicate the hazard to the citizens. The Illinois Department of Transportation was so impressed by the project that it became a pilot project for problematic flooding areas statewide. There has not been a flood fatality at either of the Matteson viaducts since the project went online in March of 2004.
As you can see by Mr. Romano’s background and education, he is passionate about public safety issues and high tech solutions to those concerns. Al is a welcome member to the XStream team.
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