Will County Land Use Committee discusses “Cool, Cities” at 35 minutes, it heats up at 48 minutes.
After a tie Vote making the motion fail, Mr. Bible asks for a re-do next month

Cool Cities was formed by the Mayor of Seattle in reaction to the United States not signing the Keyoto Treaty. The plan is to implement the treaty city by city. Yes it is radical, take a minute and Google it. Mr. Paddock, from Will County Land Use is putting a spin on it to make it seem like nothing. By the way, the Will County Tea Party still exists. It did not go away and actually won numerous seats in the last election, and is a viable part of the Will County Republican Party. If you want to make silly accusations, I guess it is ok for me to say you are for a Socialist Communist agenda because that is what Cool cities is all about.
Our View: Seeing a conspiracy when none exists
SouthtownStar editorial May 16, 2013 8:36PM

Some members of the Will County Board’s land use committee don’t think it’s cool to be a Cool County — and that’s not cool.
In a silly move, the committee this week rejected an innocuous resolution that the full board designate the county as a Cool County, which the Joliet chapter of the environmental group Cool Cities Illinois proposed. Curt Paddock, director of the county land use department, said the designation would simply recognize the county board for its energy efficiency and conservation plan, adopted last year.
But the Republican members of the committee and board member Steve Balich (R-Homer Glen), a founder of the defunct Will County Tea Party Alliance, saw an ulterior motive and opposed becoming a Cool County.
Balich said he researched Cool Cities and discovered what he saw as its hidden agenda — to promote a radical environmental policy, including pushing to close coal-fired power plants. He cited Cool Cities’ affiliation with the Sierra Club, which opposes such plants.
Will County has two coal-fired plants, and the GOP committee members said they didn’t want to be associated with any group, or take a public stance, that would favor closing the plants and eliminating jobs.
Paddock stressed that a Cool County designation would not put Will County on record as supporting Sierra Club goals or advocating the closing of the power plants in Joliet and Romeoville, adding that anyone can surf the ‘Net and “come up with all kinds of conspiracy theories.”
We agree. Who knew some county board members were so into conspiracy theory?
What’s more, the company that operates the two plants is in bankruptcy, and their future is in question, regardless of the Sierra Club or any radical “greenies.” Natural gas is cheaper and much cleaner than coal, meaning coal-burning plants are fast becoming dinosaurs. Closing of such plants is expected to quadruple during the next five years, according to the U.S. Energy Information Agency.
The Cool County measure isn’t dead. It now goes to the county board’s executive committee, where we hope it receives a more rational reception.

Will County follows the lead of 10 other Illinois counties, who passed referendums in the November 2012 election and the Kankakee County Board that passed a resolution backing concealed carry.

It is up to the State of Illinois, who has until June 9th to pass a law, or Constitutional Carry will become the law. This has been a long process that began in January when Balich (R) proposed the Resolution that was re-written by Don Moran (D). It passed in the Legislative Committee 4 to 1 in March. Balich (R), Collins (R), Howard (D), and Moran (D) voted affirmative. Bible (D) was the sole no vote.

May 16,2013 the resolution finally passed through the efforts of some on the Legislative Committee Bob Howard, Steve Balich, Don Moran, and Liz Collins.
It should be noted that although all 12 Republicans present voted yes, Democrats Walter Adamic, Joe Babich, and Bob Howard voted yes. Don Moran president of the ISRA would have voted yes if he could have been present.

Saturday MAY 18

HOMER GLEN – HISTORIC KONOW FARM

The Village of Homer Glen combines Earth Day and Arbor Day on Saturday, May 18 for a festival day full of fun at the historic Konow farm at 16849 S. Cedar Rd. Earth Day ~ Arbor Day is a free event and an opportunity for adults and children to gather for an exciting day of activities from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The day features a popular entertainment program. Beginning at 11:30 a.m., Jim Nesci will bring “Cold Blooded Creatures and captivate the audience with Bubba, the alligator, a long boa constrictor, large tortoise, and other reptiles. John Basile of “Big Run Wolf Ranch” will intrigue and educate visitors when he brings a wolf, coyote, and other animals representing North American wildlife from 2:45 to 3:45 p.m. Different types of “Incredible Bats” will be featured all day to attract the curious visitors to their way of life.

The “Illinois Horse Rescue of Will County” will be bringing rescued miniature horses and Rich Escutia will feature the sport of falconry, an ancient way of using birds of prey to hunt, with his live hawks. Pilcher Park Nature Center will show their collection of wildlife and educate children about the value of nature.

An abundance of free activities will be found for children such as pony rides, hayrides, and a petting zoo. Children have the opportunity and are encouraged to work creatively on a variety of projects. The Homer Glen Home Depot will provide free workshop kits and employees will help children make bird feeders. There will be demonstrations of creative skills such as basket making and blacksmithing and free give-a-ways.

The unique “Earth Friendly Market Place” has been expanded to include vendors selling jewelry, ceramics, photographs, paintings, purses, baskets, hand carved decoys, bird houses, gourds, local honey, garden art, live plants, soaps, natural creams and much more.

Many displays will feature eco-friendly products and energy saving techniques for indoors and outdoors. Antique and eco-friendly cars will be on display as well as Bloom Township High School’s biodiesel powered VW Jetta. Landscaping techniques for difficult sites will be shared by Father Loya of the Annunciation Catholic Church and his experiences in developing the “Transfiguration Prairie”.

The Homer Glen Junior Woman’s Club has volunteered to provide much needed assistance and high school students are welcome to earn their community service hours volunteering. This fun and educational Homer Glen event is possible through the generous sponsorship of Nicor Gas, Willowbrook Ford, Waste Management, Konow’s Corn Maze, Costco, Meurer Plumbing, Once Upon A Child, Christine Shower, and Apple Chevrolet,

Enjoy free admission and free parking. For more information call the Village at 708-301-0632 or visit www.homerglen.org and www.earthdayarborday.info

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PARTICIPANTS

Village of Homer Glen Earth Day~Arbor Day 2013

List of exhibitors as of 05/02/13

A Little Eclectic

Allegory Pens

Annunciation Byzantine Catholic Church

Apple Chevrolet

Barefoot Books

Bloom High School

Bristles Biscuits (SPELLING?)

Buckskin, Etc.

BWGISAM Partnership

Catch the Sun with Stained Glass

Celadon Road

Chesdan’s Pizzeria and Grille

Citizens Against Ruining the Environment ~ C.A.R.E.

Citizens Utility Board (CUB)

Cold Blooded Creatures

Cool Creations

Costco Wholesale

Daggett Photography

Door to Door Organics

Escutia, Richard

Forest Preserve District of Will County

Freimuth, John

Garden Patch Farms

Greater Chicago Ferret Association

Hammered Basketry

Home Depot

Homer Fire Protection District

Homer Glen Foundation

Homer Glen Junior Woman’s Club

Homer Township Open Space Planning &Operating Committee

Homer Township Public Library – Bookmobile

Homer Township Public Library – Youth Service Dept.

Honeyman Farm

Illinois Horse Rescue

Illinois Right to Know GMO

Incredible Bats

Jean Marie Salon

Kathy’s Kreations

Konow Farm – Petting Zoo

Kristine’s Shower

Land Conservancy of Will County

Life’s Journey

Lights for Learning

Linder Studio

Lo-J Soy & Wood Creations

Lockport Township High School Horticulture Club

Lorch, William

Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie

Nancy’s Nest

Naws

Northwest Homer Fire Protection District

Nuclear Energy Information Service

Once Upon A Child

Pamela Biesen Design Studios

Photography by Sherry

Picket Fence Honey

Pilcher Park Nature Center (Joliet Park District)

Poopy-Doo Farm

Pop Can Jewelry

Roll Over Animal rescue

Rustic Elegance

Rustic Kettle

RWK Photography

Sabo, John and Christy

Sarah’s Pony Rides

Shaklee – Distributor Laura Bohanek

Spoons by Jack

Stasky, Karen

The Baltic Forge

The Conservation Foundation

The Gluten Syndrome

Timberland Arts

University of Illinois Extension Will County

US Green Building Council – Illinois Chapter

Village of Homer Glen Building Department

Village of Homer Glen Environment Committee

Viridian Energy

White, Gary

Will County Health Department Environmental Health

Willowbrook Ford

COOL!

This resolution was presented at the Full Will County Board for a vote, turned back to the Will County Land Use, failed to pass at the Will County land Use Committee, and now will return to the executive committee in June for another attempt at passing the Resolution in June. (Inserted by the editor.)

Former Joliet Mayor, Art Schultz, signed the U.S. Council of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement on March 1, 2010. By doing so, Mayor Schultz enabled Joliet to become a member of a group known as Cool Cities, which bestowed the name “Cool Joliet” on our fair city.
Cool Joliet claims to be a grassroots and volunteer organization whose goal is to advocate for a healthy society. Also, Cool Joliet plants gardens in Joliet to teach people how to live a sustainable lifestyle. (Just a side note – sustainable development is another way of saying redistribution of wealth.) But I digress. All of this sounds fairly innocuous until you discover that Cool Joliet is a coalition of groups. One of these groups calls itself Potluck Democracy.
When you google the words “Potluck Democracy,” you’ll find it comes up under the name of an organization called the Illinois Coalition for Justice, Peace and the Environment.
Illinois Coalition for Justice, Peace and the Environment is a site made up of 192 assorted organizations. Some of the organizations that are listed on this site are as follows:
• Chicago Democratic Socialists of America
• Communist Party of Illinois
• Students for a Democratic Society , Urbana Champaign Independent Media Ctr.
• Eco-Justice Collaborative
• Occupy Solidarity Illinois
• And my very favorite out of this entire group – Occupy Joliet
First of all, when I see a site littered with the words, justice, peace, eco this and eco that, and democratic, I know there is an agenda coming from far left radicals who are not happy with our capitalistic society. And then, when I see the words communist, Occupy Joliet, and Students for a Democratic Society, I know Karl Marx is applauding from below. These organizations are not politically neutral. These organizations are located on the far left of the political spectrum.
When you read what Cool Joliet’s mission is, being associated with the above organizations makes more sense. Its mission statement is as follows: “…to educate and empower Joliet and area residents about the importance of a healthy and sustainable enivronment to encourage related individual and civic actions.” This is code for control.
Cool Cities is sponsored by the Sierra Club. Its goal is to make “new and retrofitted buildings more energy-efficient is a key solution to global warming and to achieving the transition to a clean energy economy.” First of all, global warming was proven to be a hoax when hackers broke into the computers at the University of East Anglia’s Climate Research Unit in 2009. These e-mails proved that there was collusion in exaggerating warming data. In other words, global warming is a scam run by the far left in order to redistribute our wealth into other far left renewable energy scams (remember Solyndra?) that cannot be sustained without federal subsidies.
Now, as far as the Sierra Club is concerned, it was an influential conservationist group at one time. It was founded by John Muir in 1882 and his goal was to protect the wilderness. However, the group has taken a decidely political left turn. Unfortunately, corruption, greed and politicization found their ways into the Sierra Club. According to Brenda Walker, a Sierra Club member, drug gangs invade our national parks and the Sierra Club does nothing to stop the invasions. Ms. Walker also claims that a wealthy Wall Street investor by the name of David Gelbaum, made a stipulation before he donated large sums of money to the Sierra Club. Per an article printed in the LA Times, Mr. Gelbaum was quoted as saying, “I did tell [Sierra Club Executive Director] Carl Pope in 1994 and 1995 that if they ever came out anti-immigration, they would never get a dime from me.” Money does indeed have a voice and political agendas find their way into groups with the purest of motives.
Also very troubling is the fact that the Sierra Club endorsed the Earth Charter. If Karl Marx was still alive, he would have surely written this piece of communistic propaganda. The following are some quotes from the Earth Charter:
• “Promote the equitable distribution of wealth within nations and among nations.” Marx is broadly smiling now.
• “Ensure universal access to health care that fosters reproductive health and responsible reproduction.” I’m sure Sandra Fluke agrees whole-heartedly with this part of the Charter.
• “We must realize that when basic needs are met, human development is primarily about being more, not having more.” Translation: We are greedy and we should be ashamed of ourselves.
• “The dominant patterns of production and consumption are causing environmental devastation, the depletion of resources, and a massive extinction of species.” Translation: Our personal consumption is destroying the world.
• “An unprecendented use in human population has overburdened ecological and social systems.” Translation: Stop having so many kids. Pay a visit to Planned Parenthood.
It is time the city council of Joliet to have a real conversation with the founders of Cool Joliet. It is not “cool” for a city to be advocating a group that is backed by far left organizations that have no desire to see capitalism succeed in our country.

Will County follows the lead of 10 other Illinois counties, who passed referendums in the November 2012 election and the Kankakee County Board that passed a resolution backing concealed carry
March 14, 2013, 10:37 am. This resolution if passed will not allow concealed carry in Will County. It is up to the State of Illinois, who has until June 9th to pass a law, or Constitutional Carry will become the law. This has been a long process that began in January when Balich (R) proposed the Resolution that was re-written by Don Moran (D). It passed in the Legislative Committee 4 to 1 in March. Balich (R), Collins (R), Howard (D), and Moran (D) voted affirmative. Bible (D) was the sole no vote.         Video:   http://thewillcountynews.com/?p=576 .

Posted by Michael Boldin

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Jefferson City, Mo (May 8, 2013) – Tonight, the Missouri State House voted to send Governor Jay Nixon what could arguably be the strongest defense against federal gun control measures in American history. The vote was 116-38.
HB436, introduced by Representative Doug Funderburk in February, was initially passed by the House in April by a vote of 115-42. Last week, the State Senate approved the bill with an amendment which did not change any of its nullification aspects. The vote there was 26-6. The bill then needed one final vote in the house which happened just before 10pm local time this evening.
The votes in both the House and Senate are by a strong veto-proof majority. Local activist Matt Radcliffe acknowledged as much when he said, “Governor Nixon can do nothing and it will automatically become law July 1st. Or he can sign it into law. Or he can veto it then his veto will be overridden in the house and it will become law anyway!”
As law, HB436 would nullify virtually every federal gun control measure on the books – or planned for the future. It reads, in part:
All federal acts, laws, orders, rules, and regulations, whether past, present, or future, which infringe on the people’s right to keep and bear arms as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution and Article I, Section 23 of the Missouri Constitution shall be invalid in this state, shall not be recognized by this state, shall be specifically rejected by this state, and shall be considered null and void and of no effect in this state.
(2) Such federal acts, laws, orders, rules, and regulations include, but are not limited to:
(a) The provisions of the federal Gun Control Act of 1934;
(b) The provisions of the federal Gun Control Act of 1968;
(c) Any tax, levy, fee, or stamp imposed on firearms, firearm accessories, or ammunition not common to all other goods and services which could have a chilling effect on the purchase or ownership of those items by law-abiding citizens;
(d) Any registering or tracking of firearms, firearm accessories, or ammunition which could have a chilling effect on the purchase or ownership of those items by law-abiding citizens;
(e) Any registering or tracking of the owners of firearms, firearm accessories, or ammunition which could have a chilling effect on the purchase or ownership of those items by law-abiding citizens;
(f) Any act forbidding the possession, ownership, or use or transfer of any type of firearm, firearm accessory, or ammunition by law-abiding citizens; and
(g) Any act ordering the confiscation of firearms, firearm accessories, or ammunition from law-abiding citizens.
The legislation also includes misdemeanor criminal penalties if agents of the federal government attempt to enact gun control measures that violate the Constitution of the United States and State Constitution of Missouri.
The immediate effect of the law would be as follows:
1. All state and local law enforcement would be required to stop enforcing, or even providing any assistance in enforcing, federal gun control measures – all of them.
2. Grassroots activists should immediately start pressing local governments – county, city and town – to pass an ordinance which a) states an unwavering dedication to the new law passed, and b) requires all local law enforcement and all government assets to immediately cease in the enforcement of federal gun control measures.
3. Eric Holder will likely send a letter to threaten the state if it decides to enforce the penalty provisions of the act.
4. Other states will gain the courage to follow the lead started by Kansas, and now Missouri – and pass similar laws.
LEGAL INFORMATION ON REFUSING TO ENFORCE
There is absolutely ZERO serious dispute about the fact that the federal government cannot “commandeer” the states to carry out its laws. None. Even the Supreme Court has affirmed this multiple times.
In the 1992 case, New York v. United States, the Supreme Court ruled that Congress couldn’t require states to enact specified waste disposal regulations.
In the 1997 case, Printz v. United States, the Supreme Court ruled that the federal government could not command state law enforcement authorities to conduct background checks on prospective handgun purchasers.
In the 2012 case, National Federation of Independent Business v. Sebelius, the Supreme Court ruled that a significant expansion of Medicaid was not a valid exercise of Congress’s spending power, as it would coerce states to either accept the expansion or risk losing existing Medicaid funding.
In each of these cases, the Supreme Court made is quite clear that their opinion is that the federal government cannot require the states to act, or even coerce them to act through a threat to lose funding. Their opinion is correct. If the feds pass a law, they can sure try to enforce it if they want. But the states absolutely do NOT have to help them in any way.

“Some of them (companies) charge $4,000 for 2 days,” said Yukich, who would prefer set pricing that’s the same for everyone.
Village Manager Cameron Davis said preapproved companies are used.
Homer Glen trustees on Tuesday approved an ordinance that includes an amendment to make a preliminary hearing available “to expedite the retrieval process for the owner of an impounded vehicle,” according to village documents.
In addition to fees paid for towing and storage of the vehicle, an administrative tow fee of $300 will also be charged by the village to offset costs, according to documents. According the amended ordinance, the vehicle owner “must make a written request for a preliminary hearing” within 72 hours of impoundment and if found guilty, may pay the administrative tow fee to obtain a receipt to claim the vehicle at the tow yard, to be used once storage fees are also paid, according to the documents.
Village Attorney Mark Sterk said anyone whose car is impounded would pay a fee.
Trustee Michael Costa asked if someone found not guilty could receive a refund.
Sterk said that’s not the case, but that kind of matter would be handled under administration and adjudication.
In other news:
• Trustees approved the adoption of a proposed budget for the fiscal year that goes from May 1 to April 30, 2014. The plan includes capital investments in storm water improvements, new parks and trails, and intersection improvement, according to budget materials posted on the village’s website.
• The proposed budget has general fund expenditures and fund transfers of $7.9 million and project revenues of $7.9 million, according to a letter from the village manager posted on the village’s website. The total expenditure budget is $16.8 million, according to the letter.
• Also, trustees approved the rezoning for the restaurant Purple Onion, 13150 W. 143rd St., and its adjacent vacant property from C-1 neighborhood commercial to C-2 local business. The restaurant’s owner, whose rezoning request was recommended by the Plan Commission to the village board, is considering developing the vacant property adjacent to the restaurant.
• Trustees voted to schedule a public visioning workshop for the 159th Street corridor planning study from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on June 26. The village is conducting a corridor planning study of the busy street, which is scheduled for widening by the Illinois Department of Transportation.
• Plans to construct a park in the Erin Hills subdivision are moving forward. Trustees on Tuesday approved a $377,995.94 construction contract for the development of the park. Plans for the park include a pavilion, trail connection and playground.
• Trustees authorized the village to purchase six black, metal slat benches that will be placed along Heroes Trail. The cost of the “premier” benches that are “designed to last” will not exceed $11,500, village officials said. The revised purchase cost of a pedestrian crossing system for Heroes Trail at Parker Road was also approved. A crossing system was previously approved but additional features requested by the village increased the price to a cost not to exceed $11,810.

• Trustees approved a resolution opposing a proposal by the governor to limit the share of local governments’ state income tax. The proposed change would result in a revenue loss estimated at $278,530 for Homer Glen, according to a meeting agenda supplement.
• Trustee Mary Niemiec, who did not seek re-election, attended her final village board meeting scheduled under her term as trustee. “It has been an honor and a privilege to serve you these past 12 years,” Niemiec said.

Wheel-Go-Camping owner Bob Schmidt looks out on to 159th Street at his business entrance where a proposed IDOT plan to widen the street and install unmountable concrete medians would prevent west bound traffic from turning into his entrance in Homer Glen, Illinois, Wednesday, May 1, 2013. | Joseph P. Meier~Sun-Times Media

While the state aggressively tries to acquire the land needed to widen 159th Street in Homer Glen, business owners along the two-lane road have been equally aggressive in fighting the plan.
For the past few years, merchants have voiced concerns about the loss of their property, parking, signs, access and, especially, customers. While a wider road is a key to the future of Homer Glen, the store owners are worried about their future.
“Our livelihood depends on that road,” said Bob Schmidt, owner of Wheel-Go Camping, a camping equipment and recreational vehicle retailer at 159th Street and Parker Road for 35 years.
For years, Schmidt and others in the Business Area Group of 159th Street have opposed the Illinois Department of Transportation’s plan for unmountable concrete medians on 159th Street, which would prevent customers from making left turns into their businesses.
If IDOT acquires the land it needs this year, the widening project could start next year.
Schmidt joined a group of village, township and Will County officials who traveled to Springfield recently to meet with IDOT Secretary Ann Schneider and Omer Osman, IDOT’s chief engineer and director of the division of highways.
Schmidt said he wanted to make them aware of what it is like doing business in Homer Glen rather than rely on the report of an engineer who has never been to the village.
For merchants, who are negotiating with IDOT to acquire their land, this median issue has to be settled first.
“We’ve been working on this for three years,” Will County Board member Steve Balich (R-Homer Glen) said. “We say we don’t want medians, they (IDOT) say “how do you want to beautify them?’ We are getting them whether we like it or not.”
Medians will impede delivery trucks and emergency vehicles and “destroy businesses,” Balich said. “It will limit commercial development. This is absurd. The state is broke, and it wants to put in 12 inches of concrete for seven miles.”
He said local officials felt they had to state their case to top IDOT officials. He anticipates a compromise.
“I felt like they were willing to work with us. They didn’t say they would (change the plan), but I felt like they understood,” Balich said.
Homer Glen Mayor Jim Daley said this wasn’t the first time village representatives have pleaded their case in Springfield. He said other towns have tried to eliminate unmountable medians, including Orland Park, and were unsuccessful.
Many major roads now have such medians for safety reasons, forcing motorists to make U-turns rather than left turns to reach a destination. Similar medians were installed with the recent widening of U.S. 30 through New Lenox, Mokena and Frankfort.
Attorney Tom Goedert, who represents several 159th Street merchants, said IDOT hopes to acquire all the land it needs, about 300 properties, by November, when it wants to seek bids. Goedert expects about 100 condemnation lawsuits to be filed.
He said IDOT has made concessions, allowing for more breaks in the median than originally proposed, but its primary focus is safety for the four-lane road that will run from Interstate 355 to LaGrange Road with speed limits up to 55 mph.
But merchants such as Schmidt, Sheri Law and George Muersch, each of whom has been established along the street for more than 30 years, do not want that traffic to bypass their stores.
“We have spent our lives out here. We want to make sure our businesses will survive this,” said Law, owner of Sheri Law Art Glass, 12551 W. 159th St.
Muersch remembers when customers would ride up to his Ace Hardware store on horses. Now he and his son, George Jr., worry if trucks will be able to make deliveries and if customers who don’t want to make a U-turn will shop at Menards instead.
“What folks don’t understand is that this (widened road) affects our livelihood and the village’s livelihood,” George Jr. said. “They are making it harder and harder for customers to enter our store. People are like water. They will take the path of least resistance.”

– Illinois Opportunity Project

Matt Besler, President