Homer Glen community opposes road widening amid declining population concerns

Concerns over the proposed widening of 140th Street dominated discussions at the Will County Public Works & Transportation Committee meeting on July 1, 2025. A resident from Homer Glen voiced strong opposition, reflecting on past experiences with similar projects and emphasizing the need for community input in planning processes.

The resident recounted their involvement in the initial phase of a previous project, highlighting a lack of options presented to the community. "We were presented with one basic option and a couple of tweaks to it, none of which satisfied the community," they stated. This sentiment underscored a broader frustration with how public feedback has been handled in the past.

The speaker also pointed out that the demographic landscape has shifted significantly since the last planning phase, noting a decline in population in Homer Glen and the surrounding metropolitan area. "The days where we could assume growth was gonna happen... I think that's over for the foreseeable future," they remarked, stressing that this reality was not adequately considered in earlier planning efforts.

The discussion reflects a growing awareness among residents about the importance of community engagement in infrastructure projects, especially as local populations change. As the committee moves forward, the implications of these concerns could shape future decisions regarding road development and community planning in Will County.