Burnell Russell's great-grandparents came to work the rich farmland near Volo in 1864, when, as Russell describes it, "Gilmer Road was old Chicago Road and the only way to get out of here."

Russell still farms near Volo. Only now, besides Gilmer Road, there are Illinois Highways 60 and 120 and U.S. Highway 12. They all come together in Volo to make it one of the most congested crossroads in Lake County.

To relieve that congestion, the Illinois Department of Transportation this fall will start a $9.5 million bypass to take Illinois 120 around Volo.