Lt. Governor Celebrates Homer Glen for Sharing Services

HOMER GLEN, IL - Lieutenant Governor Evelyn Sanguinetti visited Homer Glen April 13 to discuss a joint venture between the village of Homer Glen and the Homer Township Road District that provides public works and road maintenance to the village.

According to a release from the Lt. Governor, this project is one of 27 examples included in the 2016 Journal of Local Government Shared Service Best Practices (Journal). The Journal, published by the Lt. Governor’s Office, is a first-of-its-kind report that highlights how service consolidation and partnership among local governments in Illinois can reduce duplication, improve services and save taxpayer dollars.

“Last year we introduced legislation to empower local residents to consolidate units of government they believe are duplicative, excessive or ineffective,” said Lt. Governor Sanguinetti in a release. “It is my hope that this journal can be used as a conversation starter in local communities. As you read, ask yourselves how shared services could work in your community.”

According to the release, Homer Glen was included in the journal because of the partnership between Homer Township Road District and the Village of Homer Glen for the Road District to maintain all of the roads and road rights-of-way for the Village, amounting to 21 square miles and 120 miles of road. Through this intergovernmental agreement, the Road District serves as the village’s Public Works Department, which allowed the newly created municipality to avoid approximately $10 million in initial public works start-up costs by utilizing an existing efficient road department.

“We are proud of the village’s successful partnerships with the Homer Township Road District, the Will County Sherriff’s Office and the various fire districts. These intergovernmental agreements have saved our community millions of dollars because of our commitment to efficient and cooperative government,” said Mayor George Yukich in a release. “I want to thank Lieutenant Governor Evelyn Sanguinetti for recognizing the efforts of the village and Homer Township.”

Photo provided by Village of Homer Glen.