Truck Routes in Homer Glen

Homer Township Supervisor Steve Balich is the Republican Leader on the County Board and Representative from District 6, which includes Homer Glen and Homer Township. Commissioner Balich is opposed to Will County’s truck route proposal and is urging the County not to bring truck routes through residential properties in District 6. Will County.

Commissioner Balich rightfully argues that these new truck routes will significantly impact residential neighborhoods. The action the County could use, is Quick Take, acquiring at least 60 feet of frontage from many residents on 143rd St. The County’s goal of moving truck traffic through residential neighborhoods will cause major issues as there are residential driveways on both sides of these roads. This means homeowners must, at severe risk, enter and exit the driveway from their house directly onto a highway. There are currently no streetlights on either road; expanding these roads will ensure that homeowners' lives will be immediately disrupted, with new light and sound pollution destroying their neighborhoods.

In conversations with County staff, they have exclaimed the roads wouldn’t be truck routes. This runs counter to the notion of increasing the size of the residential roads to multiple lanes on both sides, with the weight on the roads 80,000 lbs. Commissioner Balich, being a former Teamster, has stated that if a road can handle 80,000 lbs. trucks will use those roads.

The Village of Homer Glen is in the process of taking over Hadley Road but has remained silent to the homeowners in their willingness to protect their property. The Village has remained silent on 143rd Street, knowing that many residents in their own communities will lose up to 60 ft of their property to the County for their dangerous expansion.

Homer Township is against both roads being turned into truck routes. Supervisor Balich has even offered solutions for the County. One, they could utilize a middle turn lane on 143rd Street, as is accepted and used all over the County. Two, the Township would be willing to take over all operations of Hadley Road and remove the need for the County or Village to maintain it. Both offers have been rebuked thus far.

Supervisor Balich and the Homer Township Board will continue to try and work to find a solution that works for residents and addresses the increased growth in Will County.
Here is the link to the most recent Public Works Committee hearing where Commissioner Balich questions staff.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNitrMH49WU

Please come to the Public Works and Transportation Committee Meeting December 5th before 9am and sign in to speak against the 143rd street expansion. Will County Building 302 N. Chicago, Joliet, IL. 60432 on the second floor.