Advocate for Parker Hadley Roads back on ballot as write-in

Heidi Pacella, a resident of Homer Glen, Illinois, has navigated the challenging landscape of local politics. After diligently gathering signed petitions and submitting necessary paperwork last October, she found herself facing several days of Village hearings alongside 13 other trustee candidates. The Electoral Board of Homer Glen ultimately spent tens of thousands of dollars to disqualify many candidates, including Pacella herself, seemingly favoring three individuals publicly backed by the village’s mayor, Christina Neitzke-Troike.

As a married mother of six children aged 12 to 28 while remaining a student at DePaul University pursuing a degree in Psychology with a minor in creative writing, Pacella expressed her frustration with the hearing process. She recognized that while protocol was being followed, it placed an undue burden on both candidates and taxpayers, stemming from the objections of one individual, Craig Carlson.

"I don't understand the reasoning behind Mr. Carlson's excessive 14 objections to candidates. Personally, I objected to one candidate, Nick Muller, because his paperwork was missing a notary’s signature on five pages. If he couldn't handle that simple requirement, what other responsibilities might he neglect if elected?" she explained.

After being removed from the ballot, Pacella decided to run as a write-in candidate, driven by her strong commitment to community service. She was part of the team opposing Will County’s plans to expand Hadley, Chicago Bloomington Trail, and Parker Roads, which earned her the nickname “Heidi Hadley.” This moniker, mistakenly thought by many to be her last name, actually originated from her residence on Hadley Road, leading to the affectionate title “Heidi on Hadley” among neighbors.

"The road has been transferred to Homer Glen Village from Will County, but there are no ordinances in place to protect it. I worry that it remains at risk for development, and I want to safeguard our rural area," Pacella stated. Homer Glen is one of the few southwest suburbs that has not yet been heavily developed, and Pacella is determined to keep it that way. Voting for the Homer Glen trustee position is April 1st, 2025.