Divided Will County Board Authorizes Condemnation for 143rd Street Widening

Article Summary: Following intense debate and emotional public testimony, the Will County Board narrowly approved a resolution to begin condemnation proceedings for the controversial widening of 143rd Street in Homer Glen. The 12-7 vote allows the State’s Attorney’s Office to acquire private property needed for the project, despite unified opposition from Homer Glen officials and residents who argued the expansion is unnecessary and will destroy the area’s rural character.

143rd Street Expansion Key Points:

• Action: The board authorized the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office to use eminent domain to acquire property for the 143rd Street expansion project.

• Vote: The resolution passed 12-7 after a contentious debate and the adoption of an amendment.

• Project Scope: The approved condemnation applies to the segment from Parker Road to Golden Oak Drive. An amendment requires the county to withdraw acquisition offers for properties west of Parker Road.

• Public Opposition: Officials from Homer Glen and Homer Township, along with dozens of residents, spoke and submitted letters opposing the project, citing safety concerns, environmental impact, and the destruction of the community’s rural aesthetic.

JOLIET — The Will County Board voted 12-7 Thursday to authorize the State’s Attorney’s Office to begin condemnation proceedings to acquire private property for a controversial project to widen 143rd Street in Homer Glen. The vote gives the county the authority to use eminent domain for parcels between Parker Road and Golden Oak Drive.

The decision came after more than an hour of passionate public comment from Homer Glen residents and officials who unanimously oppose the project, which would expand a two-lane road into a five-lane corridor. Opponents argued the plan is based on outdated traffic studies, will increase speeds and decrease safety, harm the environment by removing century-old trees, and fundamentally alter the community’s rural character.

“Please pause for a moment and think what is special to Homer Township and Homer Glen. It is our rural character,” said Sue Stylin, Homer Township Supervisor. “Taking away our rural character is hurting Homer Glen.”

Homer Glen Mayor Christina Nitski Troy called the plan a “kick the can down the road” measure and challenged the project’s financial basis. “I leave you with a question,” she said. “We know where the $7 million come from. Where does the remaining $70 million come from?”

The board first adopted an amendment requiring the county’s transportation department to withdraw all existing purchase offers for properties west of Parker Road, effectively pausing the western portion of the project. Proponents framed this as a compromise, but opponents, including board member Daniel J. Butler, called it a “big nothing burger.”

“Anybody who thinks that by putting this amendment in that this deal might be more palatable should should think about it very closely,” Butler said. “This amendment does nothing to make this better for the people of Homer Township.”

The final vote on the amended resolution was deeply divided. Board members opposing the measure sided with residents, questioning the need for the expansion.

“We voted on this once and we stopped it,” Butler said, referring to a previous board vote. “Give them their road and let’s move on and spend our money on other roads that need to be repaved.”

The debate also touched on a 13-9 vote from earlier this year to remove the project entirely from the county’s long-range transportation plan. Jeff Ronaldson, the county’s Director of Transportation, explained that while the board controls funding, the project remains in the 2050 plan because traffic data indicates a need for it within the next 25 years. He said that with the board’s action, the project is now considered “unfunded.”

Voting against the condemnation resolution were members Judy Ogalla, Frankie Pretzel, Daniel J. Butler, Steve Balich, Jim Richmond, Vince Logan, and Julie Berkowicz. Member Katie Deane-Schlottman was absent.