Tazewell County Deputy recognized as hero

Posted on October 21, 2018
The Tazewell Teen Initiative was adopted statewide and has helped to cut the number of traffic fatalities in half. (Tazewell Teen Initiative Facebook)

 

By Neil Doyle

PEKIN – National Teen Safe Driving Week starts Sunday as this week and every week, parents are encouraged to have conversations with their teens about the important rules they need to follow to stay safe behind the wheel.

One group that continually enforces the practice of safe teen driving is Ford Driving Skills for Life. Established in 2003, the program provides new drivers free, advanced safety training in the United States and more than 40 countries.

In recognition of the FDSL 15th anniversary, Tazewell County Deputy John Shallenberger is one of six Unsung Heroes of Highway Safety for his dedication to making roads safer. In 2014, Shallenberger became an instructor with FDSL promoting safe teen driving both state and nationwide.

“I was shocked actually when I got it, but I’ve been working with teen driving through the sheriffs office for the last 12 years,” said Shallenberger.

Deputy Shallenberger is an original member and now co-chairman of the Tazewell Teen Initiative which formed in response to 15 teens who lost their lives to car crashes in 2005.

The initiative was adopted across the state and since 2007 Illinois Department of Transportation data shows the state has experienced a more than 50 percent reduction in teen fatalities.

Neil Doyle can be reached at [email protected]

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…