Wait till the 143rd Expansion Issue is Settled Before Negotiating

There are 115 properties in court to take portions of their property on 143rd. Do not negotiate for the sale of your property! Wait till the issue is settled. Probably February 15th at the monthly full County Board meeting. Will County wants to expand 143rd to 5 Lanes from I355 to Bell. The residents do not want it. The only solution that seems to work is a middle turn lane with 1 lane in each direction. County Board Members impacted are against this expansion siding with the people.

At the January 2 nd Public Works and Transportation meeting the 143rd Street issue was pulled from the agenda. There was disagreement between the States Attorney and Commissioners Balich and Butler, as to if it could even be discussed despite people being told last month there would be an up or down vote on January 2nd. I item was not discussed.

At the Executive Meeting of the Will County Board January 4 th, Steve Balich motioned that the 143rd street issue be brought up brought at the January 11 th County Board Executive meeting which passed. There will be discussion, then it will move back to the Public Works and Transportation Committee February 6 th for further discussion, and most likely a vote, on February 15 th by the entire Board.

Send emails to countyboard@willcountyillinois.com & bertinotarrant@willcounty.gov and ask they be read in public Comment. There is no need to come unless you want to until the actual vote by the full County Board which is probably in February.

The County will pay 30.3 million dollars for Section 1 and 28 million for section 2 a total of 58.3 million dollars for the 143rd street Expansion which is 85%.

The Federal Government to do the Road in 2 sections pays 7 million dollars in total Federal Dollars for the project which is 13%.

The Village of Homer Glen just took jurisdiction of Hadley Road which would have cost the County between 10 and 20 million dollars. The County is ahead by 10 million if they do nothing on 143rd. using the lower number of 10 million dollars as the cost basis of what Hadley Road would have cost the County.

If the County puts in a middle turn lane, which most of the people prefer, the AVAILABLE dollars needed to be paid by the County will be the 58.3 million + 10 million or 68.3 million dollars.

A middle lane will not cost even close to 68.3 million dollars.

Why does the County find a need to shove this expansion down the throats of the people in Homer Township at a huge expense to the County?

The Board members who’s District is most affected by this expansion are Steve Balich and Jim Richmond. They are against it. Anette Parker, Sherry Williams, Raquel Mitchel, & Destinee Ortiz who’s District also touch this project are against it. The Homer Township Board and the Mayor of Homer Glen are also against this expansion.

Will County Board Member District 4

Steve Balich 815-557-7196