Mayor Jim Daley
The year 2011 was an exciting time in Homer Glen. On April 17th, the Village celebrated its 10th anniversary as an Illinois municipality. This celebration was a major milestone for hundreds of Homer Glen volunteers who, over the years, have worked hard to create a uniquely vibrant and environmentally responsible community.
During these challenging economic times, the Village has continued its ongoing commitment of not levying a municipal property tax. Homer Glen remains one of the few communities in Illinois that does not levy a municipal property tax. Instead, a majority of the Village’s operational expenses are paid for from sales tax receipts. This is a unique way to fund a majority of municipal operations and Homer Glen residents continue to benefit from this model. Sales tax receipts help to pay for police protection, street sweeping, road repair, intersection improvements, park land development, staffing, bike trail development and so many additional, important services. Also, unlike most communities, the Village ends 2011 as it started, with no (zero) municipal general operation debt. The Village of Homer Glen remains committed to not levying a municipal property tax!
New Homer Glen public improvements were plentiful in 2011. The year saw completion of the first phase of our outstanding new 3.4 mile Village of Homer Glen Heroes Trail. Not looking to rest on our achievements, the Village already applied for and has received yet another grant to build a 1.6 mile extension to our trail system. That new trail extension project will begin construction in 2014. The Village of Homer Glen is committed to developing one of the best bike and pedestrian municipal recreational trail systems.
The year saw continued efforts by the Village to identify and fix long-standing drainage challenges that exist in the community. Specifically, the Village completed the engineering plans required for drainage improvements in the Oak Valley Subdivision that will occur in the spring of 2012. Additionally, the Village has authorized a comprehensive review and analysis of seven specific chronic drainage problems that are scattered around Homer Glen in various locations. This analysis, when completed in early 2012, will help the Village to prioritize our ongoing work to fix drainage issues. The Village is committed to fixing long-standing drainage challenges!
Homer Glen has welcomed many new businesses to our community in 2011. One of the most visible business redevelopments is the outstanding new Speedway Gas Station located at the corner of 159th and Will Cook Road. Speedway estimates that this new facility will increase their sales, and thus, the Village’s sales tax receipts, by 30%. The Village continues to look for ways to support businesses and to work with them, as in the case of Speedway, to maximize the development potential of every commercial lot in Homer Glen. The Village is committed to economic development!
2011 was an exciting year in the Village…but we are a forward looking community! We’re already busy planning for a successful 2012…protecting, preserving, improving and building an ever stronger Village of Homer Glen!