County Board Approves 2026-2031 Transportation Plan Despite Project Opposition

Will County board members approved a contested five-year transportation improvement plan Tuesday after heated debate over a controversial Homer Glen road project that has drawn sustained community opposition.

The Will County Public Works & Transportation Committee voted 4-2 to adopt the fiscal year 2026-2031 Transportation Improvement Program, which outlines $756 million in planned road projects across the county. Members Steve Balich and David Oxley voted against the plan, citing concerns about the 143rd Street widening project in Homer Glen.

“I’m going to be voting no to the plan because this isn’t removed,” Balich said, referring to the 143rd Street project that would expand the road from two lanes to five lanes through Homer Glen and Homer Township.

County Engineer Jeff Ronaldson emphasized that the plan serves as a planning document rather than a binding commitment. “The Will County Transportation Improvement Program is a planning document and is therefore intended as a guide for future improvement and maintenance and is subject to change on an annual basis,” according to the resolution text.

The plan includes major corridor improvements totaling $338.8 million, preservation projects worth $214.8 million, and bridge improvements costing $57.5 million over the five-year period. Key projects include continuing work on Laraway Road improvements, the Weber Road expansion, and the controversial 143rd Street widening.

During nearly two hours of discussion, committee members debated the flexibility of the plan and questioned why controversial projects remained included despite community opposition. Member Judy Ogala noted that board composition has changed since many projects were originally approved.

“Members of the board change over time,” Ogala said. “So if the board decides to say, ‘Hey, you know, we’re changing. We don’t want to do this,’ the board has the right to do that.”

Ronaldson explained that all projects in the plan are based on existing contracts already approved by the county board. The 143rd Street project alone has generated 10 separate county board votes since 2012, including right-of-way acquisition, utility relocation, and design contracts totaling approximately $6.3 million.

The 143rd Street project has drawn intense opposition from Homer Glen residents who packed Tuesday’s meeting. Multiple speakers during public comment criticized the project as unnecessary and harmful to their community’s rural character.

“We’re still fighting to make sure that we’re trying to preserve something that’s unique in Will County,” said Christy Nasser, who owns property on 143rd Street. “We have this little mecca right now that has farms and cute little communities.”

Sue Stylin, Homer Township supervisor, said both the township and village oppose the project and are open to alternatives including a three-lane design with curb and gutter. She noted that discussions between local officials and County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant’s office are ongoing.

The committee rejected a motion to allow public comment before the vote, with members Freeman, Hickey, and Winfrey voting against hearing from township and village representatives present at the meeting.

Member Balich attempted to amend the motion to remove the 143rd Street project for six months pending ongoing discussions, but the motion was ruled out of order by the state’s attorney.

The plan now advances to the full county board for final approval. Future construction contracts for each project phase must still receive individual board approval, providing additional opportunities for project modifications.

Ronaldson noted that the plan reflects current traffic projections showing 143rd Street volumes increased from 12,300 vehicles daily in 2023 to 15,300 in 2024, supporting the engineering study’s recommendation for a five-lane cross-section.