Neighbor News
Will the Will County Executive get a do over changing her signature
The voice of the people was heard & signed by the Executive and Clerk. Now the Executive says signing was a error. What happened? Why?
On November 5, 2023, the issue of the 143rd Street expansion was discussed at the Public Works and Transportation Committee. Despite being scheduled for the December agenda, the Committee Chair did not include it, despite opposition from hundreds of residents against the Expansion. Leader Balich managed to have it placed on the Executive Committee agenda, from where it was referred to Public Works and Transportation, where the vote to stop the expansion of 143rd took place. Subsequently, it went to the full Board, where it was stopped by a 12 to 9 vote.
The vote happened on February 15, 2024: The Will County Board meeting commenced, with an overwhelming participation from the community during Public Comments. The room was packed with residents opposing the expansion. When the Homer Township Road Commissioner spoke, he provided information the Board had not previously heard. Despite his allocated three minutes being up, Chair Judy Ogalla argued to let him finish and Leader Balich vocally challenged that perhaps the board was afraid of the information being presented by Commissioner Porfilio. Following heated discussion, the Board voted to allow Commissioner Porfilio to conclude his remarks.
After the public comments, emails were meant to be read into the Record. However, Mark Revis, the only Republican to vote against the people, made a motion to simply read names for or against, basically dehumanizing the residents and not bringing emotion into the already tense situation. The Democrat members of the board mostly agreed with Revis, except for Janet Diaz, Destinee Ortiz, and Sherry Williams, who care about the residents. After heated debate, the Board voted to read all the emails into the record, a process that took just under 2 hours.
Finally, the vote occurred amid substantial debate. The six county Board members residing in areas affected by this expansion, (R) Jim Richmond, (R) Steve Balich, (R) Anette Parker, (D) Sherry Williams, (R) Raquel Mitchel, and (D) Destinee Ortiz, all voted against the expansion. They were supported by all the Republicans except Mark Revis. Judy Ogalla, Frankie Pretzel, Dan Butler, Vince Logan, Julie Berkowicz, and Katie Dean Schlottman all voted with the residents. Additionally, Democrat Janet Diaz stood up for the people, emphasizing the importance of the will of the people in a representative form of government.
Find out what's happening in Homer Glen-Lockportfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Republican Mark Revis, along with the remaining Democrats, voted against the people. They included Joe Van Duyne, Sherry Newquist, Denise Winfrey, Natalie Coleman, Mica Freeman, Meta Mueller, Jackie Traynere, and Elnalyn Costa. Elnalyn Costa, who is Asian, went as far as to label Homer residents as racist, expressing fear for her life while driving down 143rd. She also expressed fear of being profiled. These individuals showed they do not prioritize the concerns of the people. Those in opposition of the people took the side of Cook County Mayors, not the people of Homer Township in Will County.
On Friday, February 15th, around 5 pm, I received the signed Resolution by the County Executive, attested by the Will County Clerk. This was promptly shared on social media, The Patch, and through press releases.
Find out what's happening in Homer Glen-Lockportfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Saturday morning, I received a call informing me that the County Executive signed the Resolution halting the 143rd Street Expansion by mistake. I was also informed it would be vetoed. I was taken aback, as I believed the people had won. Now, questions arose from everyone. How did the County Executive overlook that the Resolution she signed pertained to 143rd? How did the Clerk miss it as well, or did the Clerk simply assume the Executive signed it? How many staff members saw the signed document before it was given to County Board Staff? Does the Executive get a do-over for what she claims was an error on the largest issue in the County since November 5th, 2023?
On Saturday, the Mayor of Homer Glen issued a press release stating the Village would seek an injunction to halt the road.
Homer Township will take whatever steps necessary to stop the Expansion but will await more answers next week to determine how to proceed.
We wholeheartedly support the Village of Homer Glen in any efforts to halt this expansion. Together, the Township and Village form a powerful force that will fight for the people.
God Bless You and Your Family
Steve Balich
Homer Township Supervisor and Will County Board Member
