FOR IMIVIEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, July 22, 2020
CONTACT
Karie Friling, Village Manager of Homer Glen
l<friling@_homerglenil.org
Mike Deviyo, Homer Township Road District Commissioner
homerhighway@ao|.com
Mayor Yukich and the Village Board of Trustees, in mutual collaboration with Homer Township Road District Commissioner Mike Devivo, announce a plan to pursue the transfer of stewardship of the Road District to the Village of Homer Glen.
Homer Glen, Illinois —~ In 2002, as a young and recently incorporated Village, Homer Glen entered into an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGAl with the Homer Township Road District (HTRD). This relationship was mutually beneficial, as the HTRD was in existence at the time of incorporation and stood ready to assist the young Village. Over time, the Village has grown and matured. Almost twenty years later, we believe the Village needs to control its own destiny and protect its residents and property owners well into the future. The Village of Homer Glen owns 131 of the 149 miles and currently contracts with the HTRD to maintain these roads- As the Village prepares to celebrate its 20″‘ birthday next year, now is the time to transfer the functions of the HTRD to the Village. This will allow the Village to avoid future vulnerabilities and political uncertainties as it continues to grow. The Village has both a right and obligation to maintain and plan for its own infrastructure needs.
Both the Village and the HTRD considers this to be a transfer of STEWARDSHIP. This is a transfer of stewardship because the residents of Homer Glen should not have to pay for something that they already own. The Village is also willing to maintain the remaining 18 miles of unincorporated roads, at no cost to the unincorporated residents, in perpetuity or untii such time as these areas are annexed into corporate boundaries- For Homer Township residents who reside in the City of Loclcport, they will no longer pay taxes to HTRD for roads that are maintained by the City of Lockport. We also recognize they may need to be compensated for their past investment. we believe this is a positive approach for everyone impacted. Out of respect for the Homer Township Supervisor, both the Mayor and the Road Commissioner met with her to share this plan. We will continue to reach out and engage with the Township and all other parties in a collaborative way.‘
We fully recognize the needs and concerns of the township residents, both in the City of Lockport and the unincorporated areas, will need to be heard and addressed. We invite all impacted residents to participate in this process, as we move forward. This is the first of many communications with the Village’s residents and taxpayers. There are many steps that still need to be undertaken before any plans are finalized. Both the Village and the HTRD intend to hold meetings with impacted employees, residents and taxpayers in the coming weeks and months. The transfer of stewardship will be an open
and transparent process. This is both the Village’s and the Homer Township Road Districts commitment .
