I-294 Bridge Renamed In Honor of Kelli O'Laughlin

INDIAN HEAD PARK, IL — Motorists who have made I-294 in the south suburbs part of their routine know well the bridge that often has cups that spell out "Give Joy (Love) Kelli." It's the Plainfield Road bridge that crosses I-294 in Indian Head Park and is a constant memorial for Kelli O'Laughlin, who was a 14-year-old freshman at Lyons Township High School when she was murdered during a home invasion in 2011.

Now, the bridge will be forever connected to the memory of O'Laughlin. It has been renamed The Kelli Joy O'Laughlin Memorial Bridge, according to a WGN report. There's already a new sign that depicts the name change.

O'Laughlin's classmates were the driving force in the effort to name the bridge, the report stated.

The teen's parents have also established the Kelli Joy O’Laughlin Memorial Foundation, offering scholarships to Illinois high school students. This year's Run For Kelli fundraiser, a nod to Kelli's love for running on her middle school's cross country team, is scheduled for Oct. 6.