Residents press Homer Glen trustees to strengthen tree ordinance and appoint trustee leadership for environment committee

Residents and volunteers at the Homer Glen Village Board meeting on Jan. 6 urged trustees to finalize a stronger tree ordinance and appoint trustee leadership for the Environment Committee to provide continuity and oversight.

During public comment, Joe Therese asked that a trustee serve as committee chair and that the committee have a co-chair so work can continue when one trustee is absent. Heidi Pasella cited Village Code (chapter 10, sections 10–16) that she said requires the village president to seek a trustee as chair of standing committees and asked the board to ensure the environment committee follows that structure.

Andy Panelli, an Environment Committee member and neighborhood association president, presented photos showing recent removal of mature trees in his neighborhood and said the current ordinance "only protects trees on lots larger than 5 acres," leaving many heritage trees vulnerable. Michael McGee, a longtime resident, said the village’s founding emphasized environmental protection and urged the mayor to appoint a committee chair and co-chair to resume ordinance work.

Trustees responded that staff and trustees plan to reconvene the committee and that at least one trustee (Trustee Schaller) has expressed interest in joining. The mayor asked staff to schedule an upcoming Committee-of-the-Whole meeting to continue the ordinance review and asked trustees to participate. No formal vote was taken; the board directed staff to bring the matter back for discussion and scheduling.

Next steps noted in the meeting included a planned committee meeting to refine draft ordinance language, a request for trustee participation, and staff follow-up to present a timeline to the board.