Homer Glen Board voted to go to Referendum to dissolve the Township

Homer Glen Board voted to go to Referendum to dissolve the Township

The Village of Homer Glen comprises roughly 60% of Homer Township, with the remainder encompassing areas such as Lockport, New Lenox, Lemont, and unincorporated regions. Homer Glen residents receive their police services through a contract with the Will County Sheriff, whereas the unincorporated part of Homer Township receives police coverage from the Will County Sheriff without a contract. It's worth noting that the Will County Sheriff is mandated to provide services to all unincorporated areas, funded by property taxes.

Services such as school districts, fire departments, water, sewer, and various government provisions for Homer Glen residents come from sources outside the village. If the Village were to be excluded from the equation, the Township would once again assume responsibility for the roads, as was the case before the Village gained control of the Township Road District.

Homer Glen does have its own parks, including Heritage Park and several neighborhood parks, which are accessible to both Village and unincorporated residents.

Homer Glen residents are subjected to property taxes, fees, rules, regulations, and a gas tax, all enforced by the Village.

The Village has repeatedly advocated for the separation of Homer Glen from Homer Township, and this matter will be put to a referendum question in the upcoming March Primary.

The Township Board is seeking the approval of the Village of Homer Glen Board to transfer all Township property out of the Village. This decision was reached due to the Township's struggle to collaborate with a seemingly hostile Village Board. While Trustees Consolino, Fialko, and Reynders have attempted to maintain the historical working relationship between the Township and the Village, the Mayor and Trustees Steilen, Mason, and McNaughton have displayed hostility towards Homer Township.

The Village's resistance to the Township's interests may stem from the Township's efforts to protect subdivisions along Hadley Road by preventing the expansion and increased usage of the road, thereby enhancing its safety for truck traffic. Homer Township Road Commissioner Porfilio, Supervisor Balich, and Assessor Maurella presented their case during a Village meeting, explaining that the Township Road District could assume control of Hadley Road from Will County without raising property taxes.

Towards the end of the same meeting, the Mayor, without Board approval, stated the Village's intention to take over the road but needed to assess the associated increased costs. The challenge for the Village is that the Township can maintain the road without a tax increase, while the Village would have to hire additional personnel and secure funding amounting to between 10 and 20 million dollars, likely through taxes or grants, thereby necessitating the designation of the road as a truck route.

If the Village does not protect Hadley Road subdivisions, is 151st Street next?