For several months, the citizens of Homer Township and Homer Glen have been fighting to maintain their quality of life. When you drive between Bell and Lemont Roads on 143rd Street, you get a feeling of rural America – horse farms, large properties, beautiful trees lining the road. There is a sense of calm and getting away from the urban bustle of the Chicagoland area. It is why families have stayed there for generations, and other families have moved in to establish their roots.
On February 15, at the monthly meeting of the Will County Board, a resolution was passed – with a bipartisan vote – not to increase this part of 143rd Street to five lanes. Instead, it would keep two lanes, with turning lanes added. The citizens of this community came out in force and spoke for more than three hours. The resolution was sent to the Will County Executive for a signature. It was signed as passed, and the paperwork was then sent to the clerk for filling. The people of Homer Township and Homer Glen left feeling they had secured a victory for their way of life.
Within 48 hours they were devastated. Current County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant, after signing the document agreeing to the resolution, decided she made a mistake. Ignoring the wishes of the community, she signed a new document – vetoing the resolution. This action came as a shock to the people from Homer Glen.
On Sunday, March 10, Charles “Chuck” Maher was invited to a farm on 143rd Street in Homer Glen to meet with Will County Board Member Steve Balich and citizens from around the area to discuss the turn of events. The meeting lasted over two hours, as Mr. Maher – who for 16 years had himself been a member of the Will County Board – listened to their stories. It was heart breaking, as one man talked about the depression his wife was experiencing. Another shared how his property would be drastically reduced to make additional road lanes that are not needed. It is estimated that more than 100 properties would be affected in a significant way.
Mr. Maher was visibly moved, as he spoke afterwards: “Some people have told me I should not worry about 143rd Street, that I am not in office; it is only one small part of the county, that it does not matter. Nonsense. This issue has turned out to be a lot more than one part of the county, as 143rd Street is about quality of suburban life, about the mental health of its citizens, and about the overall concerns and well-being of the residents who live there. Today, I was able to listen to the people of this community, who came out to say: ‘We do not want to change our quality of life.’
“The inexplicable actions taken by our current Will County Executive may appear small to some, but what is concerning is the pattern of behavior, a total disregard for the will of the people. As a candidate for Will County Executive, I can assure you this pattern will be broken. This is not how you govern. This is not what the voters expect from their locally elected officials.”
Ron A. Marchionna, Press Secretary.
Citizens for Chuck Maher