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Trustees approve ComEd lease for Heroes Trail extension, ask staff to pursue enforcement options for dirt-bike trespass
Summary
The board approved an amended recreational lease with Commonwealth Edison for the Heroes Trail Western Extension and discussed recurring dirt-bike and ATV trespass on ComEd property, directing staff and counsel to schedule talks with ComEd about signage and enforcement options.
Homer Glen — The Village of Homer Glen Board of Trustees approved an amended recreational lease with Commonwealth Edison for construction and maintenance of the Heroes Trail Western Extension and directed staff to pursue follow-up with ComEd on trespassing and enforcement.
Village Manager Joe Baber said the village already has several leases with ComEd for trail segments and that the amended lease is consistent with prior agreements. Trustees voiced support for the project and moved to approve the lease during the Jan. 9 meeting.
Trustees also raised long-standing problems with dirt bikes and four-wheelers using trail corridors and ComEd right-of-way. Baber said the village has discussed the issue with ComEd and that, while ComEd posts signage, ComEd views enforcement as primarily a law-enforcement matter. “They do post signage. It is something enforceable by our Will County Sheriff's Department,” Baber said.
Trustee discussion focused on whether ComEd could add or improve signage and whether the village could press ComEd for additional measures. At one point a trustee asked whether the Will County Sheriff can stop riders on ComEd property; the answer given in the meeting was that deputies can enforce trespass laws on the property.
Trustees directed staff and the village attorney to schedule a phone call with ComEd to discuss signage and possible cooperative steps to reduce trespass and vehicle use on trail corridors. The board approved the lease on a unanimous roll call.
The lease approval advances the village’s trail-extension work; the enforcement conversation identified a next step for staff and counsel to pursue with ComEd and the Will County Sheriff’s Department.
